Prof. Deborah Shade Adekeye
Professor Deborah Shade Adekeye was born in the mid-sixties in Iludun-Oro to the esteemedfamily of Chief Abraham BinuomoyoBabatunde and Madam Maria WuraolaBabatunde. Her early education began at St. James Anglican Primary School, Iludun-Oro, followed by her secondary education at Iloffa Grammar School, Iloffa, where she graduated in 1983. She then pursued her ‘A’ Levels at Kwara State College of Technology. In 1985, Prof. Adekeye was admitted to the University of Ilorin as part of the third set of students in the Department of Sociology, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1988. Her academic journey continued at the same institution, where she earned two Master’s degrees: a Master’s in Public Administration in 1996 and a Master’s in Sociology in 2002. She further advanced her studies, obtaining a Ph.D. in Sociology in 2010 from the University of Ilorin. Additionally, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (2021) and a Certificate in Environmental and Social Standards from the World Bank Group (2023).
Prof. Adekeye began her professional career as an Educational Officer II in 1990quickly advancing to the post of Chief Education Officer in 2004 within the Kwara State Ministry of Education. In 2005, she transitioned to the University of Ilorin as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and ascended to the rank of Professor in 2020. Her leadership roles within the university include serving as two times Head of the Department of Sociology (2014-2016& 2018-2019) and the Head of the Department of Criminology and Security Studies (2017-2018).
She has also contributed significantly to the university’s development through her involvement in various activities such as level advisers from 2005 to 2012, Faculty representative at General Studies Division (2016-2018). Faculty representative at Sugar Research Center (2011-2014), Member of Faculty Dress Code Committee (2010- 2016), Member of Conference local Organizing committee (2006-2008). Chairperson, Faculty Welfare committee (2014-2019), Organizer for Master in Labour and Industrial Relations (2011-2015), Desk Officer for U6+ Consortium (2023-2024) among others. She has served as mentor and supervisor to over two hundred and fifty (250) undergraduate students, eighty two (82) M. Sc. Graduates and six (6) Ph.D. holders in the field of Sociology.
A prolific scholar,Prof. Adekeye has published over sixty-five research papers in prestigious local, national and international journals and has edited four textbooks. She was a member of the team that won 2024 TETFUND grant at University of Ilorin. She is a member of the Social Science Council of Nigeria and the Anthropological and Sociological Association of Nigeria. She also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Ilorin Journal of Sociology (2020-2026) and the Ilorin Journal of Business and Social Sciences (2022 –2026). She successfully delivered the 293rd University of Ilorin inaugural lecture series on 4th December 2025.Her expertise is recognized beyond the Department of Sociology and University of Ilorin; she has served as an internal examiner for multiple departments and as an external examiner for universities across Nigeria.Governor AbdulrazakAbdulrahaman appointed Prof. Adekeye in 2023 as one the members of KwaraState Education Trust Fund, She was also appointed as one of the members of Board of Governor, United Missionary Church of Africa Theological Seminary, Ilorin.
Beyond academia, Prof. Adekeye is dedicated and deeply committed to community service, holding leadership roles in various local organizations and committeesfor the developments of the communities. She has received a number of recognitions and awards for her contributions. Prof. Adekeye has served and still serving in many organizations and committees. Some of her current involvements include Chairperson, Iludun Oro Anglican Girls’ College, Iludun Oro, Kwara State, Nigeria, Matron of the Boys Brigade, Edidi; Matron of the Iludun-Oro Students’ Union; and Matron of the Superlight Club, Edidi. She also serves as Secretary of the Friendly Sisters of Edidi.Prof. Adekeye is happily married and blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren.