Science, Medicine & Engineering
Landmark
Ayodele Awojobi
1937 – 1984
The Akoka Giant — engineer, inventor and public gadfly
Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the Nigeria Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
Nigeria's youngest ever professor of mechanical engineering, who converted a jeep to drive from the other side single-handed, and spent the rest of his life making the government uncomfortable.
Ayodele Oluwatumininu Awojobi was a Nigerian academic, author, inventor, social crusader and activist.
He became the youngest Nigerian professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Lagos in 1974. He is remembered for single-handedly converting a Leyland jeep from right- to left-hand steering, a vehicle he named Autonov 1.
He became the youngest Nigerian professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Lagos in 1974. He is remembered for single-handedly converting a Leyland jeep from right- to left-hand steering, a vehicle he named Autonov 1.
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