Adesina Sunday

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. He is a Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for JORMATECH (Journal of Management and Technology), a journal published by the School of Management Studies at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State.
His role as a reviewer is extensive, having reviewed scholarly work for reputable journals such as the Ghana Journal of Linguistics, the Journal of Pragmatics, the SKASE Journal of Theoretical Linguistics and the Nordic Journal of African Studies. Others are HUMOR: International Journal of Humor Research, JOLAN (Journal of the Linguistics Association of Nigeria), and JESAN (Journal of English Scholars Association of Nigeria).
==Administrative Experience==
He has played a pivotal role in the governance and development of academic programs 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 in multiple leadership positions, including Postgraduate Coordinator (since August 2021) and Principal (Arts and Humanities) of the Doctoral Academy at the Postgraduate College (2024). He has also been a Statutory Member of Senate since 2021, contributing to the university's highest decision-making body.
Previously, Sunday held key roles such as Deputy Coordinator and Coordinator of the Staff/Postgraduate Student Seminar Series, and Departmental Deputy Coordinator for the Distance Learning Programme. As a Course Supervisor for the General Studies Programme's Use of English courses, he significantly contributed to curriculum oversight and student assessment. He was also a member of the Quality Assurance Committee of the Distance Learning Centre in 2014, ensuring 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. Additionally, he chaired the Organizing Committee for the retirement celebration of his mentor, Professor A.L. Oyeleye.
Sunday has also contributed to editorial management, serving as Marketing Editor and Associate Editor for Ibadan: Journal of English Studies (2011–2013, 2019–present), and participated in the Communiqué Committee for the Third Biennial International Conference in 2017.
In addition, he has held roles such as Member of 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 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, evaluating academic promotions to ensure adherence to high standards of excellence.
In 2018, he facilitated the Teaching Beyond the Curriculum Workshop at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, focusing on curriculum innovation for academic professionals. Additionally, in 2021, he was a Member of the University of Ibadan Community Forum for the Appointment of the 13th Vice-Chancellor, contributing to discussions shaping the institution's future leadership.
Through these roles, Professor Sunday has consistently demonstrated leadership, academic integrity, and a dedication to the strategic development of institutions, fostering growth and excellence in higher education.
==Professional Engagements==
In his role as an External Examiner, Professor Sunday has reviewed and assessed MA dissertations and PhD theses at several Nigerian universities, including Obafemi Awolowo University and Ajayi Crowther University. His external assessment duties demonstrate his expertise and his contribution to maintaining academic standards across institutions.
==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.
==Specialisations and Research Interests==
His areas of specialisation include English Phonology and Phonetics, Neurolinguistics, and Pragmatics. His research interests cover the phonology of Nigerian English, language disorder, musical discourse, political discourse, and literary pragmatics, reflecting the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of his work.
==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.
Category:1971 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Osun State
Category:University of Ibadan alumni
Category:Academic staff of the University of Ibadan
Category:Yoruba academics
Category:Linguists from Nigeria