Professor Abiodun Johnson Olatunji was born at Odo-Oro Ekiti at Ikole Ekiti LGA in early 60s to the Family of late Reverend S.O Olatunji and Late Mrs A.A Olatunji. He attended St Andrew’s Primary School Itaji-Ekiti from 1968-1974, Ayede Grammar School Ayede-Ekiti (1976-1978) and Ado Grammar School Ado-Ekiti (1979-1981). He was also at a point in time at AUD High School Ikole-Ekiti in 1982.

Having worked briefly as an Account Clerk at Odo-Oro High School, Odo-Oro Ekiti, and as a Store Keeper at Ekiti Akoko Agricultural Development Project Ikole-Ekiti between 1982 and 1984, Professor Olatunji proceeded to Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) in 1985 to study Geography. He later obtained a B.S.C degree (Hons) in the discipline in 1989 with Second Class, Upper Division Grade. He was one of the best Graduating Students in his Class.

To further hone his Academic Skills, he obtained an M.Sc. degree in Geography, OAU, Ile-Ife in 1997, and Ph.D. degree in Geography and Planning Science at EKSU, Ado-Ekiti in 2005.

Due to his lustre for the academic, he was called back by his mentors, Professor F.S. Ebisemiju and Professor I.O. Orubuloye, to take up an appointment as a Research Assistant under them at his former Department and faculty. Professor Olatunji therefore started his career in the university as a young Research Assistant, a position which he likened to an office messenger in the administrative parlace. He later regularized his appointment to Graduate Assistant in his Alma mater in 1992. Through a rare display of dint for hard work and stoic perseverance, he rose gracefully through the ranks to the enviable position of a professor on 1st October, 2013.

Professor Olatunji’s area of specialization and praxis in the diverse field of Geography centres on Remote Sensing Technology, Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Studies. He has successfully supervised numerous B.Sc. students, 27 M.Sc. students and 5 Ph.D students in these research areas to date. He is currently supervising 3 M.Scs, 1 Ph.D and several B.Sc. students.

As a prolific, seasoned and consummate writer, Professor Olatunji has 187 papers, write-ups and publications to his credit. These comprises of Journal Articles (31), Textbooks (19), Books chapters (10), Published Conference proceedings (2), Technical and Research Project Reports (14). Technical and Research Projects Participations (7), Position, occasional, working papers (35), ongoing technical and research reports (9), and many scholarly works in various stages of completion. In addition, he has attended over 82 conferences and workshops worldwide and delivered quality papers in 45 of them.

Professor Olatunji started demonstrating his leadership skills when he became the Acting Head of his Department between 2008 and 2010. He was foundation Assistant Director and 3 times Acting Director of Office of Research and Development between 2012 and 2018. During this period, he was Chairman LOC of 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th EKSU International Conferences and Research Fairs. He successfully managed two University Journals (NITH and EKST), and also doubled as Faculty of the Social Sciences’ representative to ORD for management of TETFund IBR grants.

In 2014, Professor Olatunji was appointed as an independent researcher by the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladipo Aina to conduct a research on Digital Mapping of EKSU land cover characteristics for planning and development purposes. This dexterous feat earned him a letter of commendation by the Vice Chancellor after submitting his report. To replicate the milestones he previously achieved, and in furtherance of his development and advancement drives, Professor Olatunji was appointed as the Director of the Directorate of Advancement and Linkage Programmes for the University between 2017 and 2019 by former Vice Chancellor Professor S.O. Bandele.

His restructuring efforts assisted in better repositioning of the Directorate for 21^st century linkages, collaborations, advancements and fund raising strategies for the University. He also brought together, for the first time ever, EKSU Alumni in diaspora for home coming and possible give backs to the university that nurtured them to stardom.

Professor Olatunji has served as Chairman and member of over 80 statutory and ad hoc committees in the university at all levels since 1992 to date. He has also served as External Examiner to M.Sc. and Ph.D. candidates, readership and professorial assessor, and NUC accreditation team Leader/member to several universities in Nigeria including University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Uyo, Taraba State University, and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology.

Professor Olatunji have also been priviledged to be involved at different times, in many social responsibilities and community development projects. Between 2013 and 2015, he served as a member of fund raising committee saddled with the task of retaining Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture of FUOYE at Ikole-Ekiti. In 2016, he was a lead facilitator of Alumni contributions towards EKSU development when he facilitated the donation of WLAN ICT equipments worth of ₦300,000,000.00 to the university. This was made through one of EKSU illustrious alumnus – Dr. V.O. Olatunji from, NITDA, Abuja. He is of 1989 Alumni extraction and this feat again earned Professor A.J. Olatunji another letter of commendation from the then Vice Chancellor, Professor S.O. Bandele, leading to an opportunity to serve as the Director of Directorate of Advancement and Linkage programmes of the University.

In 2018, Professor Olatunji participated in “Baseline Study of Inclusion of Community members in Budgetary and Development Plan Processes (Inclusive Governance)”, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The project was executed by Community Life Support (CLS), Lagos, in collaboration with Ford Foundation.

Professor Olatunji has been actively involved in many nation- building projects and programmes, and has rendered a host of consultancy services to various bodies, agencies and organizations worldwide. In 2001, he served as Field Investigator on ecological baseline surveys of soil erosion and flooding in 10 communities in Ondo State under UNDP’s Sustainable Environment and Agricultural Development Programme. The remarkable success achieved on strategies recommended for soil erosion and flood controls earned him another opportunity to expand the scope of the project to 18 communities in 2011.

In 2006, Professor Olatunji was priviledges to participate as coordinator for Ekiti and Ondo State in a nationwide pilot project on “The Potentials of Using Remote Sensing Technology for Estimating Population in Nigeria”, through NASRDA under Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja. In 2008, Professor Olatunji assisted Ekiti State Government on Inventory of Community-Based Infrastructural Facilities using Digital Mapping Technology. The project was executed through the DG, State Bureau of Strategy and Statistics under Governor Segun Oni’s Administration.

At the national level, the Professor provided a GIS methodology for MDG’s Poverty Mapping in Nigeria in 2012 through a Word Bank Assisted project under the Presidency, Abuja. The research results were later showcased in 3rd and 4th ESKU International Conferences and Research Fair in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Also in 2012, he was a resource person for UNICEF, NEMA (SW Zone) SEMA and SUBEB programs on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) paradigm based on “Hyogo Framework for Action” and a follow up of UN 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Programes.

In 2013, Professor Olatunji served as a member of Ethic Advisory Committee (EAC) that assessed “Randomnised Evaluation of Unconditional Cash Transfer Scheme for the Elderly” for Ekiti State Government during Governor Kayode Fayemi Administration. The project was through the State Ministry of Labour Productivity and Human Capital Development, in Collaboration with UNDP and Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA), Lagos. In 2015, Professor Olatunji was one of the few scholars selected across Nigeria to serve in a 2 Day Round Table Panel discussion on “Review of Social Welfare Professionalisation Bill” that was before the then 8^th National Assembly. The Bill was sponsored by Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, National Association of Social Workers (NASoW), and UNICEF, Lagos branch.

At the close of year 2021, Professor Olatunji was appointed to serve as Geoinformatics Expert in a Technical Working Committee (TWC) charged with the preparation of “Ekiti State Development plans for 30 years” inaugurated by Dr. J.K. Fayemi, the former Executive Governor of Ekiti State.

In 2022, he was involved in various training programes by the National Population Commission in preparation for the proposed Population and Housing Census in Nigeria. This NPC programme showcased pervasive applications of Remote Sensing and GIS Technology in population and housing census, as well as various environmental and social issues. He later served as one of Ekiti State nominees to assess the conduct of the Trial Census outcomes in a Nation-Wide retreat at Abuja. His deep involvement in these programmes earned him an award as “NPC Census Ambassador” in Nigeria.

Between 2016 and 2025, Professor Olatunji consulted, and still consulting for NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) and NCDC (Nigeria Data Protection Commission) on various capacity building and research programmes that borders on Computer Networking, Database Development, Data Protection Privacy and Cyber Security, as well as evaluation of virtual learning technology in our tertiary institutions before, during and after Covid-19 Pandemic.

Professor Olatunji is a 3rd generation Geographer and Environmentalist imbued with the knowledge and application of Remote Sensing Technology and Geographic Information System’s concepts and techniques in solving a wide range of environmental and social problems with remarkable precisions. He is a strickler of excellence who believes in professional practice as a field Geographer and foremost environmentalist. He is also a member of leaned societies and professional bodies such as Association of Nigeria Geographer (ANG), Environmental Behaviour Association of Nigeria (EBAN), Geospaitial Information Society of Nigeria (GEOSON), Geospatial Information Technology Association (GITA), USA, International Water Association (IWA) and a Fellow of the Prestigious Chattered Institute of Hospital and Tourism Management of USA and Nigeria (FCITHM).

For over 30 years of unbroken and impeccable service records, the giant Strides and lofty heights attained by Professor Olatunji in his career has strategically positioned him to become recipient of over 25 prestigious merit awards, accolades, laurels and commendations from highly revered bodies and organizations. In all the position and capacities in which he has served, he has always demonstrated a terse sense of humunity, integrity, honesty, diligence, excellence, devotion to duty with astounding stoicism. Due to his contributions, he also made the list of “40 Distinguished Alumni Award of EKSU” at 2023 convocation and 40th Anniversary awards ceremony.

In recent times, Professor Olatunji has been championing various climate change resilience, mitigation, vulnerability assessment, preparedness and adaptation programmes for Ekiti State and Nigeria. In 2024 he was appointed as member and resources person “Ekiti State Climate Change Action Plan during Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration”. On 6th march 2025, he presented an evidence-based paper for public hearing titled “Towards a Sustainable Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Ekiti State” at the State House of Assembly. He is a member of Technical Working Group (TWG) that drafted “Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan (HSAP, 2025-2030) for Ekiti State.

This is a document prepared to domesticate National Adaptation plan (HNAP) for Ekiti State, and was defended for compliance before national consultants at “Ekiti State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan Development Workshop” held between 16th -18th June, 2025 at Lagos. He is currently working with the State Ministry of Health and Human Services and State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources as the State Consultant on Climate Change and Health.

Though Professor Olatunji has passed through various academic vagaries and vissicitudes, God Spurred him through them all. He has always found the time to combine his illustrious scientific career with an equally demanding roles of husband and father. He is happily married with children.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Professor Abiodun Johnson Olatunji.