In a resounding recognition of a lifetime dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development and institutional transformation, Professor Emmanuel A. Fasakin, Chairman of the Governing Council of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti (EKSPOLY), who recently retired from the Services of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has been honoured as one of the *100 Most Impactful Education Personalities in Africa for 2025.*
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The prestigious Award of Achievement was conferred at the 4th African Education Summit, 2026, held at the University of Professional Studies Accra, Ghana. The honour celebrates Prof. Fasakin’s enduring contributions to education across Africa, particularly his role in nurturing visionary leaders within tertiary institutions.
Though unavoidably absent, the distinguished educationist was ably represented at the ceremony by the Rector of EKSPOLY, Dr. Sunday Osinkolu Ajeigbe, who received the award on his behalf to a rousing ovation from an audience of policymakers, scholars and education stakeholders drawn from across the continent.
The honour comes at a symbolic moment in Prof. Fasakin’s life, as he recently bowed out of active academic service upon attaining the age of 70, marking the end of an illustrious career defined by scholarship, mentorship and institutional advancement. Yet, even in retirement, his influence continues to resonate strongly across Africa’s higher education landscape.
Widely regarded as a consummate educationist, Prof. Fasakin has carved a niche for himself as a builder of leaders. Over the decades, he has mentored and inspired countless students, academics and administrators who today occupy key positions in universities, polytechnics, and other critical sectors across the continent. His legacy is deeply embedded not only in the institutions he served but also in the lives he transformed.
He served at various times as Dean , Students Affairs , Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Acting Vice Chancellor of FUTA. He also served as the pioneer Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ile Oluji.
Under his stewardship in various capacities, institutions have witnessed remarkable growth in academic standards, governance and community relevance. As Chairman of EKSPOLY’s Governing Council, Prof. Fasakin has continued to provide strategic direction, fostering policies that enhance quality education and align the Polytechnic with global best practices.
The African Education Summit, now in its fourth edition, has become a leading platform for recognizing excellence, innovation and transformative leadership in the education sector. The inclusion of Prof. Fasakin among the continent’s top 100 education influencers further reinforces his status as a towering figure in African academia.
Even in retirement, his legacy stands tall—etched in the successes of those he has mentored and the institutions he has helped shape firmly, establishing him as one of Africa’s finest architects of educational excellence.
Fasakin a Professor of Fish Nutrition and Utilization is generally regarded as a resilient and courageous academic leader with unwavering commitment to institutional growth and mentorship.
Culled from the Facebook of EKSPOLY with additional reports by FUTA DCCP.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.