After nearly five decades of his unrelenting commitment to pedagogic services, Dr Femi Adedina, a lecturer at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), has been elevated to the rank of Professor.
Dr Adedina, who began his teaching journey in 1976, reflected on this in a Facebook post on June 26, 2025.
“The day GOD capped all my efforts as a teacher since 1976. Also, as a lecturer since 1983, July 15,” he wrote.
According to him, his career began at Ajepodo Primary School near Ajebandele in Ijebu East Local Government Area, before moving to Isonyin Grammar School in Ijebu.
Despite leaving the Ogun State College of Education—where he was a pioneer student—to study Theatre Arts at the University of Calabar, fate brought him back to the institution in 1983 as a lecturer in English.
Before his formal lecturing career began, Adedina served as a teacher during his NYSC at the Federal School of Arts and Science in 1982. He fondly recalled his students from that era, asking, “I wonder where Albert Ephraim and Bernadine Ukaegbu who were among my students then are now?”
His trajectory, he explained, cut across every level of the educational system. He taught at the nursery and primary levels during his teaching practice at St. Paul’s Makun, Sagamu in 1976 and again in 1992 at the University of Lagos Nursery/Primary School, where he creatively used folktales to teach numbers.
Despite his deep devotion, Adedina admitted to years of personal doubt: “I felt I was not a good teacher. I felt I was too strict, demanding and unbending when it comes to truth, honesty, justice, hard work and accountability… I felt I stretched my students to almost breaking point to get the best out of them.”
He recounted the many frustrations he endured, including being denied deserved promotions and recognition: “With promotions not given when due even when I had all prerequisites and more… With my futuristic efforts truncated… With my seeing those subverting the system celebrated while honest and progressive minds… punished sans reason.”
Yet, through all these trials, he never abandoned his post: “I did not leave nor waver. I did not move away or reduce my passion for work or short change my students. I was called stupid because while my mates were building schools and engaging in activities removed from teaching, I was dedicated to my teaching.”
He recalled being nicknamed “Kongi”, “Lagbaja”, and “Mr. Perfection” by students who didn’t always appreciate his methods, yet he remained steadfast: “I stayed true to my calling. I persisted in my teaching, even when my students became Professors before me.”
Ultimately, he believes divine providence rewarded his endurance: “The controller of the universe looked and waited for the appropriate time to crown my efforts. 940 days to my pen-down, GOD crowned my efforts.”
Dr Adedina concluded, “Who says, Olorun ki tun pin? Who says the heavens don’t reward? As I get this Professorship, I realize GOD is on the throne and that Anu ni mo rí gba.”
Reactions from Former Students
The announcement of his promotion sparked a torrent of tributes from his former students, many of whom credited him for shaping their academic and personal lives.
Olusola Oyewo wrote: “Ore, hearty congratulations! It did appear as if, it will never come but God has proven that HE makes all things beautiful in HIS own way and in HIS own time! Cheers, Ore.”
Prince Fémi Tiwo added: “The take for me from this story is that you did not cut corners in your journey of academia like others, but focused. I applaud you for it. I applaud your tenacity. You went through adversities to get to the pinnacle of your career. Congratulations! More power to your elbow.”
Temilola Iswat Aina Uthman shared: “Congratulations sir, denial does not mean you’re not qualified. We passed through your tutelage and we know your worth. LACOED as it was called then was a fountain of knowledge. We can’t joke with you and Mr Akindele of History Department. May you live long in good health to enjoy the fruit of your labour. Otito pada bo’ri iro at last! Bo pe no ya ni akololo a pada pe baba. You deserve this and many more sir. Congratulations once again!”
Ala Abayomi reflected: “May your road be rough is an apt title for your story and thank God, it ends well. Congratulations to a teacher of all teachers, a man with a hard posture but gentle inside. Ile anu Oluwa Kin su. God never forgets his own—it may tarry but light comes at the end of the tunnel.”
Jide Thompson JT wrote: “I thank God for meeting a lecturer like you. You are a very diligent, hard-working, resourceful and a goal-getter. For those of us that were not ready to learn then, you kept our heads straight and got the best out of us. I will forever be grateful to you for the knowledge you impacted on us and me personally. Congratulations PROFESSOR FEMI ADEDINA on this well-deserved and overdue honour. May Almighty God continue to keep you safe. More wins for you by HIS Grace.”
