{"id":4132,"date":"2025-05-26T10:09:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T10:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/?page_id=4132"},"modified":"2025-05-26T10:14:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T10:14:13","slug":"dr-yinka-banjo-c-o","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/?page_id=4132","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Yinka-Banjo C.O"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4132\" class=\"elementor elementor-4132\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4b775a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4b775a1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea72913\" data-id=\"ea72913\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f09511 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9f09511\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"203\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/yinka.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4136\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/yinka.jpg 203w, https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/yinka-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/yinka-97x146.jpg 97w, https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/yinka-33x50.jpg 33w, https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/yinka-50x75.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d05f763 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d05f763\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7cc1ce\" data-id=\"f7cc1ce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-785adce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"785adce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>TITLE (PROF\/DR\/): <strong>DR.<\/strong><\/p><p>NAME: <strong>CHIKA YINKA-BANJO<\/strong><\/p><p>POSITION: <strong>ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>SPECIALISATION<strong>:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTICS<\/strong><\/p><p>EDUCATION\/TRAINING <em>(Begin with Bachelor\u2019s degree or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add\/delete rows as necessary.)<\/em><\/p><table width=\"722\"><thead><tr><td width=\"348\"><p>INSTITUTION AND LOCATION<\/p><\/td><td width=\"96\"><p>DEGREE<\/p><p><em>(if applicable)<\/em><\/p><\/td><td width=\"106\"><p>Completion Date<\/p><p>MM\/YYYY<\/p><\/td><td width=\"173\"><p>FIELD OF STUDY<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td width=\"348\"><p>Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria<\/p><\/td><td width=\"96\"><p>B.Tech<\/p><\/td><td width=\"106\"><p>2000<\/p><\/td><td width=\"173\"><p>Mathematics &amp; Computer Science<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"348\"><p>University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria<\/p><\/td><td width=\"96\"><p>M.Sc.<\/p><\/td><td width=\"106\"><p>2006<\/p><\/td><td width=\"173\"><p>Computer Science<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"348\"><p>University of Stellenbosch\/ Africa Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Cape Town, South Africa<\/p><\/td><td width=\"96\"><p>PGD<\/p><\/td><td width=\"106\"><p>2010<\/p><\/td><td width=\"173\"><p>Mathematical Sciences<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"348\"><p>University of Cape Town, Cape Town South Africa<\/p><\/td><td width=\"96\"><p>Ph.D.<\/p><\/td><td width=\"106\"><p>2015<\/p><\/td><td width=\"173\"><p>Computer Science (AI &amp; Robotics)<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p><strong>Personal Statement<\/strong><\/p><p>My principal research interest lies in the development of machine learning techniques using sound Artificial and Computational intelligence principles, especially for solving problems in different real-life domains\u2019. I have previously worked in robotics since 2010 using machine learning techniques like Reinforcement Learning, Bayesian Networks, Evolution algorithms (Ant Colony Optimization) and Neural Networks. However, I still do some research work in that space but mostly reach-out programs. I want to diversify and explore other areas using machine learning that is why I am currently involved in using machine learning techniques to solve problems in Education, Health, Finance and Agriculture.<\/p><p><strong>Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honours<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>2025-2027 Co-PI for IDRC\/FCDO on creation of AI LAB in Nigeria<\/li><li>2023-2024 \u00a0 Lead PI for AI in Climate change Research grant on\u00a0 Assessment of impacts of climate\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 change and adaptation practices using AI<\/li><li>2022-2023 Lead PI for Equitable AI on AI Gender Aware Auditing Tool from USAID\/DAIGlobal (USD 100,000+)<\/li><li>2021-2024 Co-PI for IDRC\/SIDA Innovative Education Artificial Intelligence\u00a0 (EduAI) Hub for Africa (CAD1.2million+)<\/li><li>2020-2021 Co-I for HSRC\/Facebook Research Award, Ethics in AI Research Initiative for Africa ($25,000)<\/li><li>2020 Co-I, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), GCRF Digital Innovation for Development in Africa (DIDA) funding for Environment fingerprinting via DiGital technology &#8211; a new paradigm in hazard forecasting and Early-warning systems for health risks in Africa (EDGE)<\/li><li>2019 &#8211; 2020 AlumNode Germany Award of 6800 Euros for a five-man project in Animal Technology<\/li><li>2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology -Empowering the Teachers (MIT-ETT) Fellowship, Boston, USA<\/li><li>2018 One of the 200 most qualified Young Researchers to participate in the Heidelberg Laureate Forum, Germany (For world Laureates in Mathematics and Computer Sciences)<\/li><li>2016-2018 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 PI, AIMS Alumni Small Research Grant from AIMS South Africa &amp; IDRC Canada ($20,000), A grant to start-up a research lab in my country After PhD program<\/li><li>2013 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L\u2019Oreal-Unesco for Women in science fellow award for sub-Saharan Africa ($20,000), A grant to pursue research after PhD<\/li><li>2011- 2014 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Organization for Women in Science for the Developing world, Italy (OWSD) for PhD sponsorship,\u00a0 A three year scholarship for the award of PhD in Computer Science, at the University of Cape Town South Africa,<\/li><li>2009 \u20132010 African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa for PgD sponsorship,\u00a0 A Nine Months Award to Study Mathematical Sciences<\/li><li>1997 Abuja National Mathematics Centre academic award for best Mathematics Student in Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Selected Most Recent Publications \/Contributions to Knowledge<\/strong><\/p><ol><li>Chidiebere B. Nwaneto * , Chika Yinka-Banjo , Ogban Ugot, An object detection solution for early detection of taro leaf blight disease in\u00a0 the West African sub-region (2025), Franklin Open, Elsevier, vol 10, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.fraope.2024.100197.<\/li><li>Chidiebere Nwaneto, Chika Yiinka-Banjo, Ogban-Asuquo Ugot, Thompson Annor, Obiageli Umeugochukwu (2024), Early Detection of the Taro Leaf Blight Disease in the West African Sub-Region Using Deep Image Classification Models,\u00a0 Smart Agricultural Technology Elsevier, vol 9,\u00a0 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.atech.2024.100636.<\/li><li>Chika Yinka-Banjo, Mary Akinyemi, Olasupo Ajayi, David Tresner-Kirsch (2024). Data on gender-equitable healthcare accessibility in Northern Nigeria. Data in Brief -Elsevier, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp 109979<\/li><li>Chika Yinka-Banjo, Mary Akinyemi, Olasupo Ajayi, David Tresner-Kirsch (2024). Data on gender-equitable healthcare accessibility in Northern Nigeria. Data in Brief -Elsevier, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp 109979<\/li><li>Solomon Chiekezi Nwaneri, Chika Yinka-Banjo, Ugochi Chinomso Uregbulam, Oluwakemi Ololade Odukoy, Agbotiname Lucky Imoize, (2023),\u00a0 Explainable neural networks in diabetes mellitus prediction,\u00a0 The Institute of Engineering and Technology,\u00a0 313 \u2013 328.<\/li><\/ol><p><strong>Collaborators\/ Networks (International inclusive)<\/strong><\/p><ol><li>IDRC Canada<\/li><li>USAID USA<\/li><\/ol><ul><li>ECDF Germany<\/li><\/ul><ol><li>L\u2019Oreal-Unesco France<\/li><li>CORE AI, Sweden, Stellenbosch<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TITLE (PROF\/DR\/): DR. NAME: CHIKA YINKA-BANJO POSITION: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SPECIALISATION:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTICS EDUCATION\/TRAINING (Begin with Bachelor\u2019s degree or other initial professional education, such as nursing,<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4132"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4132"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4139,"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4132\/revisions\/4139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.unilag.edu.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}