Draft:Adesina Sunday

Adesina Bukunmi Sunday
Born	Adéṣínà Bùkúnmi Sunday (1971-10-29)29 October 1971 Oluponna, Ayedire, Osun State, Nigeria
Occupation	Professor of English, University of Ibadan
Alma mater	University of Ibadan
Notable works	Oral English Simplified Speech Writing A Survey of the English Language
Spouse	Dr Yewande Adetoke Sunday
Children	Ademoyewa, Adeseke, and Adesalewa

Adesina Bukunmi Sunday is a Yoruba Nigerian Professor of English Phonology, Neurolinguistics, and Pragmatics in the Department of English, University of Ibadan.

Early Life and Education

He was born on October 29, 1971, in Iyalode Compound, Oluponna, Ayedire Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Raised in a family that valued education, Sunday faced several early challenges but remained committed to his academic pursuits. His father, Mr Sunday Adebayo Alamu Ojo, did not receive formal education due to family dynamics, while his mother, Mrs Kudirat Ayoke Ojo, excelled in her primary education but was unable to continue due to societal limitations on female education at the time.

He began his education at Baptist Day School, Oluponna between 1977 and 1983, and completed his secondary education at Oluponna Community High School from 1983 to 1988. After multiple attempts at O'level examinations between 1988 and 1993, he achieved results that qualified him for various academic fields. Initially interested in Medicine and Business Administration, he eventually decided to study English at the University of Ibadan, influenced by a personal religious experience. He gained admission to the university in 1997 and earned his BA (Hons) in English in 2001, an MA in English Language in 2005, and a PhD in English in 2008, completing all three degrees within eleven years. He was the best graduating student at both the BA and MA levels.

Academic Career

Professor Sunday began his career at the University of Ibadan as a Teaching Assistant in 2005. He later served as an Associate Lecturer and was appointed as Lecturer II in 2010. Over the years, he advanced through the ranks, becoming Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, and, most recently, a full Professor of English Phonology, Neurolinguistics, and Pragmatics. His promotion to the rank of professor was announced by the University of Ibadan on June 6, 2024, with an effective date of October 1, 2021. Thus, he became a professor at the age of 50.

Teaching and Mentorship

Throughout his career, Professor Sunday has demonstrated a deep commitment to teaching and mentorship. He has taught a wide range of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including phonetics, syntax, phonology, sociolinguistics, and the structure of English. He is known for his rigorous and disciplined approach to teaching, often arriving at class before 7 am, despite commuting long distances.

Professor Sunday has successfully supervised 30 PhD students in his core research areas, with many of them completing their degrees in record time. His PhD supervisees have gone on to achieve significant professional milestones, including positions as associate professors, senior lecturers, and roles in government agencies and international institutions.

Research and Publications

Professor Adesina Sunday's research spans several key areas, including English phonology, neurolinguistics, pragmatics, and language pedagogy. His scholarly contributions are well-documented in numerous national and international journals, as well as through his authorship and editorial work on various books and volumes.

His works have been published extensively in respected journals across the globe including Journal of Pragmatics, SKASE Journal of Theoretical Linguistics, . English Today, California Linguistic Notes, International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, World Journal of English Language, Studies in Literature and Language, and the Ibadan Journal of English Studies. Among the books he authored are Oral English Simplified (2010), Speech Writing (2011), A Survey of the English Language (2011), and English Suprasegmental Phonology (2011). He is the co-editor (with M. Ofoegbu) of Corruption, Democracy, and Good Governance in Nigeria: A Book of Reading (2011), and (with F. O. Egbokhare) Contemporary Issues in Language Studies (2019). He has contributed to the chapters of several books and journals while also writing book reviews.

Editorial Roles and Peer Reviews

Professor Sunday is an editor for the Association of Phonologists and Phoneticians in Nigeria and has served as a reviewer for multiple academic journals, including the Ghana Journal of Linguistics, the Journal of Pragmatics, the SKASE Journal of Theoretical Linguistics and the Nordic Journal of African Studies. His expertise is sought after in the field, making him a key figure in the academic community.

Administrative Experience

Professor Sunday has played a pivotal role in the governance and development of academic programmes at the University of Ibadan and beyond. His extensive administrative experience reflects his commitment to academic management and institutional growth.

At the University of Ibadan, Sunday has served as the Postgraduate Coordinator since August 2021 and is a member of the Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Committee. He has also held key positions such as Deputy Coordinator and Coordinator of the Staff/Postgraduate Student Seminar Series, and he served as the Departmental Deputy Coordinator for the Distance Learning Programme. As a Course Supervisor for the General Studies Programme's Use of English courses, he contributed significantly to curriculum oversight and student assessment. In 2014, he was a member of the Quality Assurance Committee of the Distance Learning Centre, ensuring the maintenance of high academic standards.

Between 2020 and 2022, he represented the Faculty of Arts as a Congregation Representative in the University Senate, where he advocated for faculty interests. He also chaired the Organizing Committee for the retirement celebration of his mentor, Professor A.L. Oyeleye.

Professor Sunday has contributed to editorial management, serving as the Marketing Editor and Associate Editor for Ibadan: Journal of English Studies (2011–2013, 2019–present) and as a member of the Communiqué Committee for the Third Biennial International Conference in 2017.

Within his department, he has served on various committees, including the Departmental Timetable Committee (2009–2012), the Departmental Finance Committee (2012–2014), and the General Studies Programme Committee/Board of the Senate (2012–2016). He was also the 400 Level Registration Officer from 2010 to 2017, overseeing student enrollment and advising.

Outside the university, Professor Sunday serves as an External Assessor for Promotion at The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, where he evaluates academic promotions and ensures adherence to high standards of excellence in higher education.

Through these roles, Professor Sunday has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, academic integrity, and the strategic development of the institutions he has served. His administrative experience exemplifies his dedication to fostering an environment of growth and excellence in higher education.

Professional Affiliations

Professor Sunday is a member of several professional associations, including the English Scholars’ Association of Nigeria (ESAN), the Linguistics Association of Nigeria (LAN), and the Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria. He also serves on the editorial boards of various academic journals.

Personal Life

Adesina Sunday is married to Dr. Yewande Adetoke Alari Sunday, whom he describes as "the best gift from God." They have three children: Ademoyewa, Adeseke, and Adesalewa. His family has been a source of support and strength throughout his career, often engaging in prayers during challenging moments on his path to professorship.

Legacy and Impact

Professor Adesina Sunday is regarded as a disciplinarian and a mentor who has had a profound impact on his students, many of whom have gone on to excel in various fields. His philosophy centres on bringing out the best in people and maintaining a balance between quality and quantity in academic supervision.

He is known in academic circles for his scholarly contributions, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. He attributes his achievements to God's mercy, grace, and favour, often referencing his faith as a guiding force in his journey. He describes himself as a strict but humane mentor, emphasizing discipline, punctuality, and hard work among his students and supervisees. He continues to inspire future generations of linguists and educators through his work at the University of Ibadan and beyond.