The death has occurred of Professor Akinola Muritala Salau. He was aged sixty eight years.

Until his death on Saturday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja, Professor Salau was a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He represented the South West geo-political zone. He was inaugurated in January 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The late Professor Salau who has since been buried in Ibadan according Muslim rites, took ill last month at the Commission’s post-election retreat at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

Professor Akinola Muritala Salau was born on November 21st 1947. He hails from Oyo state.

Professor Salau took his first degree B.Sc (Second Class Upper) Hons. in Physics in 1971 at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife. He had his M.Sc Applied Physics in 1974 and had his Ph.D Applied Physics in 1976.

Professor Salau was a Mathematics Teacher at Adeola Odutola Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-ode, in 1967; Higher School Certificate Physics and Mathematics Teacher, Baptist High School, Abeokuta in 1971; Graduate Assistant, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, from 1971-76; Lecturer II in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1976-1979; Visiting Scientist, Optical Sciences Centre, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA., in 1979; Lecturer I in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1979-1980; Senior Lecturer in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1980-1988; Director, Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1983-1992; Reader in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1988-1992; Professor of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1992 to date; Associate Lecturer, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho in 1995; Co-ordinator, Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho in 1997; Acting Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, from July 6 1999 – May 22, 2000; Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH from May 23rd 2000 – May 22nd 2005.

Professor Salau who was a Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science, was married and had five children.