ABOUT ESTHER ODUNTAN

Research with purpose

Computer Science researcher, educator and academic leader advancing meaningful applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

MEET THE RESEARCHER

Scholarship grounded in practical purpose

Esther Oduntan PhD is a Chief Lecturer in Computer Science at The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, with a specialization in data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Since beginning her academic career in 2007, she has combined teaching and research with the development of educational systems and institutional leadership.

Her academic work spans intelligent assessment and digital learning, machine learning for healthcare, African-language technologies and multimodal AI. Across these areas, a common concern is how computing research can respond to challenges that matter to learners, professionals and communities.

In addition to her work at the Polytechnic, she has undertaken teaching and research appointments at other institutions, including Chrisland University and a 2024–2025 research appointment associated with the University of the Witwatersrand's LINK Centre, focused on African-language technology and digital platforms.

ResearchTeachingAcademic leadershipApplied AI

Explore her research

Esther Oduntan PhDChief Lecturer · Computer ScienceArtificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

ACADEMIC FOUNDATION

The learning behind the work

2016Doctoral degree

PhD in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

2020Master's degree

MSc in Machine Intelligence (AI)

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Kigali, Rwanda

2009Master's degree

MSc in Computer Science

University of Lagos, Nigeria

2001Bachelor's degree

BSc in Computer Science

Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye (now Olabisi Onabanjo University)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Where inquiry meets application

View publications

Data & intelligence

Machine learning & predictive analytics

Learning from structured data to support informed decisions, including research on clinical prediction and classification.

Education

Intelligent assessment & digital learning

Automated essay grading, computer-based examination systems and technology-enabled access to learning.

Language

African-language & multimodal AI

Language technologies, text representation, visual question answering and work relevant to Nigerian Pidgin speech recognition.

Applied research

Health, agriculture & connected systems

AI applications in healthcare, vegetation prediction, and intelligent and secure digital systems.

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

Teaching, leadership and service

Her career brings together academic instruction, research supervision and the practical management of digital education.

2007

Beginning an academic career

Appointed Lecturer III at Gateway Institute of Technology, Igbesa; she subsequently held academic positions at The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro.

2015–2021

Coordinating flexible learning

Coordinator of Open Distance and Flexible eLearning (ODFeL) and a pioneer researcher/coordinator in computer-based examinations at The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro.

2021–present

Leading digital education

Pioneer Director of ODFeL, with responsibilities spanning technology-enabled learning and academic administration.

2022–present

Chief Lecturer

Teaching, mentorship, research and institutional service in Computer Science at The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro.

2026

Institutional examination leadership

Chairman of the Polytechnic's Institutional Examination Committee, alongside longstanding work in assessment systems.

RECOGNITION & ENGAGEMENT

Milestones along the way

2025 · PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Fellow, Nigeria Computer Society

Recognition of professional standing within Nigeria's computing community.

2024 · RESEARCH INNOVATION

Deep Learning Indaba Ideathon award

Part of the award-winning team behind the Foodie Lens intelligent application concept.

2024 · RESEARCH SUPPORT

TETFund institutional research grant

Research support for work on an examination management system.

2022 · PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants

One of the professional distinctions recorded in her academic CV.

OPEN TO EXCHANGE

Research grows through collaboration

Connect on questions in artificial intelligence, intelligent education, language technologies and practical research.

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