39-year-old Aina Becomes OAU Professor

Segun Aina, a Computer Engineering scholar at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has been promoted to Professor of Computer Engineering at the age of 39, making him one of the youngest in his field in Nigeria.

Aina, who lectures in the Department of Computer Engineering at OAU, described the appointment as both humbling and a call to greater responsibility in serving academia, industry, and national development.

“This milestone is a humbling reminder that excellence, discipline, and purpose-driven work can accelerate impact. I see this professorship not as a destination, but as a renewed responsibility to contribute more meaningfully to academia, industry, and national development,” Aina said.

Colleagues praised his elevation, citing his strong research credentials, academic leadership, and dedication to bridging theory with practical applications within Nigeria’s education and technology ecosystem.

Aina obtained his Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, UK, in 2008, followed by a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security from Loughborough University in 2009. He later earned a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from the same institution.

Beyond academia, Aina is known as a pragmatic entrepreneur with interests spanning education technology, agriculture, hospitality, capacity building, and technical and vocational education. In 2010, he co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, an IT services and engineering project management company.

“My lifelong commitment has been to ensure that academic knowledge does not exist in isolation, but actively solves real problems. I remain passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will shape Africa’s future,” he said.

Aina has also consulted for both public and private institutions, including the Job Creation Unit in the Office of the Vice President, several state governments, and national examination bodies. He has further honed his leadership skills through executive education at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.

His governance experience includes serving on the pioneer Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Ekiti, and as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Queensland Academy, Isolo, Lagos.

A prolific researcher, Aina has authored approximately 30 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. He is a COREN-registered engineer and a member of professional bodies such as the Nigerian Computer Society, Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

In addition to his academic and professional work, Aina is active in community development and philanthropy. He serves as National Financial Secretary of the Otan Ayegbaju Progressive Union and convenes the DSA Initiative for the Support of Education and Entrepreneurship, promoting access to education and youth enterprise development.