Prof. Raphael Afonja, born to the family of Dr. and Mrs. Afonja of Adesiyan Compound, Isale Afon, Ogbomoso, grew up in Kaduna where he attended Hope Primary School before attending Barewa College, Zaria, and Unity School Ejigbo, Osun State.
He is the Founder of ICARE a Nonprofit Organization in the US and Nigeria whose mission focuses on Women Empowerment, Medical Outreach, Education, and Food Security. He is the Chairman of Gamut Engineering and Technology Services and was an Aspirant to the House of Representatives to represent Ogbomoso North/South/Oriire Federal Constituency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in this last election.
Prof. Afonja attended the City University of New York, Long Island University, University of North Dakota, and Eastern New Mexico University where he obtained degrees in Computer Science (A.Sc.), Applied and Theoretical Physics (B.Sc.), Engineering Science (B.Sc., Mechanical), Environmental Science (M.Sc.), Information Science (Ph.D., coursework), Civil Engineering (Ph.D.), and he is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
He served as an infantryman/Water Treatment Specialist in the United States Army before becoming a Professor of Engineering at City University of New York. He also served as an Airman with the United States Air Force, where he managed and led the Engineering planning function team. Prof. Afonja’s other professional job experiences include Dean of Faculty at SOWELA Technical Community College, Senior Research Engineer and Consultant with City of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
He also worked as a Research Scientist with City University of New York, a Visiting Professor at the University of North Dakota, then went on to lecture as a Professor at SOWELA Technical Community College. Prof. Afonja was accepted as a Fulbright Scholar at Lagos State University and he has presented and published thirteen research papers while in academia.
He is a Registered Civil Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering, Nigeria, a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of Nigeria Society of Engineers, he is a Registered Environmental Professional with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, a Certified Environmental Professional with the Academy Board of Certified Environmental Professional, and a Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer.
In conclusion, Prof. Afonja stated that his mission in politics is to see a developed and secured Nigeria particularly Oyo State with good Social Welfare System for all citizens. He further stated that as a farm owner, he believes building new and maintaining solid infrastructures in Oyo State will boost economy for all sectors, most especially stakeholders such as farmers. He believes that attracting investors and partnering with private industries for all sectors will also provide employment opportunities for the youths.
