Nigeria’s quest for sustainable infrastructure and resilient transportation systems may have found a passionate advocate in Dr. Akinleye Monsuru Tunde, a distinguished civil engineer, academic and innovator whose groundbreaking research is transforming how roads are built and maintained across the nation and beyond.
A Senior Lecturer at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria and a recognized authority in Highway and Transportation Engineering, Dr. Akinleye has devoted his career to solving one of the most pressing challenges of modern society: how to build durable roads that are both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
At the heart of his work is the pioneering “waste-to-wealth” concept, which converts discarded plastics, agricultural residues, and other waste products into modified asphalt mixtures for pavement construction. This innovation not only enhances road durability but also addresses the growing environmental crisis posed by plastic waste. His Ph.D. research at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, on performance characteristics of asphalt mixes modified with pyrolyzed plastic bottles has been hailed as a landmark contribution to sustainable engineering.
Driving impact nationally and globally
Akinleye’s research has had a direct impact on Nigeria’s transportation sector. The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and related institutions have benefited from his innovative approaches, applying his findings in road repair and rehabilitation projects to achieve longer-lasting pavements, reduced maintenance costs and improved performance under heavy traffic and harsh climatic conditions.
According to a senior FERMA engineer, “Dr. Akinleye’s work has given us tools to solve one of our most persistent challenges – roads that fail too soon under pressure. By applying his waste-to-wealth innovations, we are seeing pavements that are stronger, cheaper, and kinder to the environment.”
Internationally, his publications in high-impact journals and presentations at major engineering conferences have positioned him among the top 1% of experts worldwide in sustainable pavement engineering. His collaborations with fellow researchers have influenced best practices across Africa and drawn global recognition for Nigerian ingenuity in civil engineering.
Academic excellence and leadership
Beyond research, Dr. Akinleye has demonstrated strong academic and institutional leadership. He currently serves as the Sub-Dean, Faculty of Engineering at Adeleke University and has played key roles as Managing Editor of the Adeleke University Journal of Engineering and Technology and Head of the Civil Engineering Department. His teaching spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels, where he mentors the next generation of engineers in courses such as Highway Engineering, Transportation Economics, Traffic Engineering and Environmental Pollution Control.
One of his former postgraduate students remarked, “Dr. Akinleye not only teaches us theories; he takes us into the field and shows us how innovations can be applied in real projects. His mentorship has inspired many of us to see engineering as a tool for solving national problems.”
His achievements include securing the prestigious Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) Grant in 2020 for the Design and Fabrication of a Plastic Waste Interlocking Paving Stone Machine, as well as awards such as Adeleke University’s Most Published Scholar (2019/2020) and Best Lecturer in Civil Engineering (2024/2025).
Professional recognition and service
Akinleye’s professional affiliations cut across leading engineering bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) and the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), among others. His active participation in these bodies reflects his commitment to advancing engineering practice and mentoring young professionals.
A colleague in the Nigerian Society of Engineers described him as “a trailblazer whose work places Nigeria on the global engineering map. He represents the new wave of Nigerian engineers who are not just solving local problems but also setting international standards.”
Championing sustainable infrastructure for Nigeria’s future
Looking ahead, Akinleye envisions Nigeria becoming a global leader in sustainable road construction, leveraging locally available waste materials to build stronger, greener, and more affordable infrastructure. He argues that Nigeria must prioritize innovations that simultaneously address infrastructure deficits and environmental concerns, and his research provides a blueprint for achieving this balance.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of economic transformation,” he often emphasizes, “and sustainability must be at the core of how we design, build, and maintain our roads.”
With his groundbreaking innovations, academic leadership, and professional service, Akinleye Monsuru Tunde continues to embody the future of engineering excellence in Nigeria – proving that solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges can emerge from local research with global relevance.
