Dr. Oladele Afolalu | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellow at Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Dr. Oladele Felix Afolalu is a distinguished researcher and academic in the field of Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering. Born on August 29, 1976, in Nigeria, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of ICT, telecommunications, and enterprise networking. With a strong passion for innovation, he has worked extensively in academia, research, and industry collaborations to improve modern communication systems. Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa, Dr. Afolalu has played a crucial role in developing cutting-edge solutions in 5G networks, interference coordination, and network optimization. His leadership in academic institutions, numerous publications, and participation in international conferences reflect his dedication to research excellence. As a member of several prestigious engineering societies, including IEEE (USA & South Africa), COREN, and MNSE, he continues to impact the engineering community through mentorship, teaching, and groundbreaking studies in the field of telecommunications and ICT.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Afolalu’s academic journey is marked by a strong foundation in electrical and electronic engineering, with degrees from top institutions in Nigeria and South Africa. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he specialized in 5G network optimization and inter-cell interference coordination. Prior to that, he completed an M.Sc. in Electronic/Electrical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, where his research focused on communication systems and signal processing. His undergraduate studies culminated in a B.Eng. (Hons.) in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Additionally, he holds a National Diploma in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. His diverse academic background has provided him with expertise in ICT systems, telecommunications, and engineering education, equipping him to contribute significantly to cutting-edge research and technology advancements.

Professional Experience

Dr. Afolalu has amassed over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. He served as Head of the Department and Principal Lecturer at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Nigeria, where he played a key role in curriculum development, student mentorship, and research supervision. He also worked as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Department at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, where he was instrumental in advancing research initiatives in physics electronics. His postdoctoral research at Durban University of Technology, South Africa, involves cutting-edge projects in enterprise networking and ICT systems. Additionally, he has served as a tutor at the University of Cape Town, helping students enhance their understanding of telecommunication systems. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in examination committees, research committees, and industrial training programs, contributing significantly to the development of engineering education in Nigeria and beyond.

Research Interests

Dr. Afolalu’s research is centered on wireless communication networks, telecommunications engineering, and ICT innovations. His primary focus is on 5G and beyond technologies, network optimization, and inter-cell interference coordination. His Ph.D. research on Ultra-Dense Networks (UDNs) has contributed to improving network efficiency and power allocation in next-generation communication systems. He has also explored the application of artificial intelligence in network performance enhancement, particularly in resource allocation and signal processing. Additionally, his research extends to renewable energy integration in communication networks, aiming for sustainable and efficient power management in ICT infrastructure. His contributions to machine learning applications in network traffic optimization and security have been recognized in top-tier journals. Through his extensive research, he aims to bridge the gap between theoretical telecommunications advancements and practical industry implementations, ensuring that emerging technologies are efficiently deployed for societal benefit.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Afolalu has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to research, engineering education, and technological innovation. He has received accolades for his work on 5G networks, including best paper awards at international conferences such as the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC). His research on carrier aggregation-enabled NOMA techniques for enhanced 5G network performance has gained global recognition. He has also been honored for his mentorship and academic leadership, particularly in the development of engineering curricula and innovative teaching methodologies. His membership in prestigious engineering societies such as IEEE, COREN, and MNSE further highlights his excellence in the field. Additionally, he has participated as a panelist and keynote speaker at workshops and conferences, where his expertise in wireless communication and ICT infrastructure has been widely acknowledged. His commitment to research and education continues to inspire future engineers and researchers globally.

Conclusion

Dr. Oladele Felix Afolalu has a strong research portfolio, significant academic experience, and notable contributions to ICT and 5G telecommunications. His leadership roles, professional memberships, and conference engagements make him a worthy candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Strengthening high-impact publications, industry collaborations, and international research engagements will further solidify his standing in the global research community.

Publications Top Notes

1. Carrier Aggregation‐Enabled Non‐Orthogonal Multiple Access Approach Towards Enhanced Network Performance in 5G Ultra‐Dense Networks

   • Author(s): O Afolalu, N Ventura

   • Year: 2021

   • Citations: 10

2. A Survey of Interference Challenges and Mitigation Techniques in 5G Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

   • Author(s): OF Afolalu, JO Petinrin, MA Ayoade

   • Year: 2016

   • Citations: 4

3. Internet of Things and Software Applications in Patient Safety Adverse Event Detection and Reporting: A Comprehensive Literature Review

   • Author(s): OO Afolalu, SA Afolalu, OF Afolalu, OA Akpor

   • Year: 2024

   • Citations: 2

4. Inter-Cell Interference Coordination in 5G Ultra-Dense Networks

   • Author(s): OF Afolalu

   • Year: 2021

   • Citations: 2

5. Internet of Things Applications in Health Systems’ Equipment: Challenges and Trends in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

   • Author(s): OO Afolalu, OA Akpor, SA Afolalu, OF Afolalu

   • Year: 2024

   • Citations: 1

6. Application of Particle Swarm Optimization Method to Economic Dispatch of Nigerian Power System Considering Valve-Point Loading Effect

   • Author(s): GA Adepoju, MA Tijani, MO Okelola, MA Ayoade, OF Afolalu

   • Year: 2021

   • Citations: 1

7. Enterprise Networking Optimization: A Review of Challenges, Solutions, and Technological Interventions

   • Author(s): O Afolalu, MS Tsoeu

   • Year: 2025

   • Citations: Not available yet

8. A Novel Security Solution for Efficient Connectivity in Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)

   • Author(s): O Afolalu, MS Tsoeu

   • Year: 2025

   • Citations: Not available yet

9. Sickle Cell Disease Epidemiology and Management in Africa: Current Trends and Future Directions in Digital Health Technologies

   • Author(s): AO Olajumoke, O Akpor, AS Afolalu, OF Afolalu, HB Oyewole, AO Oke

   • Year: 2024

   • Citations: Not available yet

10. Analysis of Spectrum Occupancy of Active FM Band within Federal Polytechnic Ede Northern Campus

• Author(s): AK Adebayo, JO Agbolade, IA Bamikefa, OF Afolalu, MA Ayoade

• Year: 2021

• Citations: Not available

11. Development of Induction Motor Monitoring System with Protection Against Abnormal Voltage, Current, and Temperature

• Author(s): MA Ayoade, IA Bamikefa, MA Tijani, OF Afolalu, AK Adebayo

• Year: 2018

• Citations: Not available

12. Effects of Angles of Inclinations on the Performances of Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays

• Author(s): MA Ayoade, OF Afolalu, IA Bamikefa, MA Tijani, MA Sanusi

• Year: 2017

• Citations: Not available

13. Development of a Wireless Induction Motor Unbalanced Voltage Detection and Control System for Hazardous Environments

• Author(s): MA Ayoade, OF Afolalu, IA Bamikefa, AK Adebayo, MA Sanusi

• Year: 2017

• Citations: Not available