Engr. (Dr.) Lawal Babatunde Abdulqadir is the Deputy Rector (Academic) of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria. He is a seasoned Mechanical Engineer, academic, and administrator with over three decades of professional, teaching, research, and leadership experience spanning industry, academia, and public service.
Dr. Abdulqadir holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, where his research focused on tribology, particularly the effects of soot on the wear of automotive engine components. He also earned an M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering (Tribology) and a B.Eng. (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ilorin. He is a Registered Engineer with COREN and a member of several national and international professional bodies, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Society of Tribology and Lubrication Engineers (STLE).
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Abdulqadir has published extensively in reputable international and local journals and has contributed to books and book chapters in engineering and quality assurance. His teaching career covers National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, with expertise in engineering design, materials, CAD, production management, metrology, and quality assurance. He has supervised numerous student projects and served as an external examiner and accreditation resource person for NBTE exercises across Nigerian polytechnics.
Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Abdulqadir has held several strategic administrative and leadership positions, including Director of Quality Assurance, Director of Procurement, and Director of the Skills Development Centre, before his current appointment as Deputy Rector (Academic). His leadership has contributed to strengthening academic standards, quality assurance frameworks, and institutional governance within the Polytechnic.
Prior to his academic career, he gained valuable industrial experience as a Mechanical Engineer in the Nigerian Paper Mill Limited and as Head of Maintenance at the Kwara State House of Assembly, bringing strong practical and managerial insight into his academic leadership.
Dr. Abdulqadir is a recipient of multiple honours, including the Best Performing Lecturer Award (2022) and a TETFund Overseas PhD Scholarship. He remains actively involved in professional service, community development, and national capacity-building initiatives, reflecting a sustained commitment to academic excellence, engineering practice, and institutional development.