Abdul Lateef A. Hussein

Lateef Akanni Hussain (26 October 1947 – 31 July 2022) was a Nigerian physicist, academic administrator and former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU). He served as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU from 2005 to 2011. He was also a professor in the Department of Physics at University of Ibadan and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Physics.

Lateef Akanni Hussain was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 26 October 1947. He attended the University of Ibadan, obtaining a B.Sc. in Physics (First Class Honours) in 1970. He later earned his Ph.D. in Solid-State Electronics from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1974. During his academic formation he received various scholarships and prizes, including University of Ibadan Scholarship (1967–1970); Departmental and NUMPENCO Faculty of Science Prize (1970); Nigerian Government Post-graduate Scholarship (1971–1974).

Hussain joined the University of Ibadan in November 1974 as a lecturer and advanced to the rank of professor of physics. He taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in quantum physics, solid-state physics, and solar energy, and supervised numerous theses and dissertations. He also served in other academic roles such as Visiting Senior Lecturer and Acting Head, Department of Physical Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (1990–1991), and part-time lecturer at LASU (1984). He acted as external examiner for universities such as University of Ghana, Legon; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso; University of Ilorin; and University of Lagos.

Professor L.A. Hussain served as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU from 2005 to 2011. He succeeded Abisogun Leigh (who served 2001–2005) and was succeeded by John Obafunwa (who served after 2011). He led key developments in academic programmes and student scholarship initiatives at LASU during his tenure.

Professor Hussain’s research spans solar energy technologies, radiation effects in solids, computational modelling and analysis of thermodynamics of liquid alloys. His doctoral thesis was titled *“Radiation Damage in Silicon Solar Cells”* (UMIST, 1974). He published in journals including Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics; Pure and Applied Geophysics; Radiation Measurements; Journal of Alloys and Compounds. Some selected works:

• Hussain, L.A. & Northrop, D.C. (1975). “Electron Radiation Damage in Diffused Silicon Solar Cells.” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics.
• Giwa, F.B.A. & Hussain, L.A. (1978). “A Theory of Atmospheric Tides Generated by Differential Heating Between Land and Sea.” Pure and Applied Geophysics.
• Awe, O.E., Akinlade, O. & Hussain, L.A. (2003). “Thermodynamic Properties of Liquid Te–Ga and Te–Tl Alloys.” Journal of Alloys and Compounds.

At the University of Ibadan, Professor Hussain held several leadership positions including Sub-Dean, Faculty of Science (1985–1987); Chairman, General Studies Programme (1998–2001); Director, Equipment Maintenance Centre (1998–2001); and Dean, Faculty of Science (2001–2003). He also served as Technical Director at the Federal Radiation Protection Service (FRPS), University of Ibadan (1986–1989).

Professor Hussain was married to Mrs Abosede Modupe Hussain and the marriage was blessed with four children. He passed away after a brief illness on Sunday 31 July 2022, at the age of 74.

• University of Ibadan
• Lagos State University
• Nigerian Institute of Physics

• University of Ibadan Department of Physics
• Lagos State University official website