Professor Rasaki Afolabi Lasisi, better known as Fola Lasisi was born on 23rd February 1943 in Odosenlu-Alaro, near Ijebu-Ode, in Ijebu North – East Local Government Area of Ogun state. He attended Yaba Technical Institute where he finished with distinction in June 1962. He was awarded the African Scholarship Program of American Universities, ASPAU, in July 1963 to the University of Washington, Seattle, to study Civil Engineering and graduated in June 1966. He completed the Master’s degree, with fellowship from the University of Washington, in 1967. He later proceeded to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, sponsored by the University of Ife and USAID in 1972, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering in 1974. He became a professional engineer in 1972 and a registered engineer with COREN in 1974.
He returned to Nigeria in October 1969 to join the University of Ife as Lecturer II. He rose through the ranks to become a Professor in October 1984.
Prof. Lasisi became a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 1975 and a Fellow in 1989. He has been a Council Member of the NSE and Technical Secretary of the Civil Engineering Division. Prof. Lasisi, who has acquired vast experience in structural engineering, has published extensively in national and international journals and has been an External Examiner at numerous Nigerian universities.
Prof. Lasisi was the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state from 1991 to 2000. He was also the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta (2000-2007). He was Chairman, Committee of Vice–Chancellors of Nigerian Universities 1996-1997. He is a Fellow of various professional bodies including the NSE, American Society of Civil Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers and the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He is currently serving as the 10th President of the Academy of Engineering in Nigeria.
