Adesoji Adelaja

Adesoji O. Adelaja (born February 20th, 1956) is an academic and John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy at Michigan State University.

A native of Lagos born in 1956, Adelaja attended Pennsylvania State University in the United States, where he received his B.S. and pursued graduate study at West Virginia University receiving two M.S. degrees and his PH.D. Upon completing his doctorate, Adelaja taught at Idaho State University for a year, then joined the faculty of Rutgers University in 1986, later becoming Executive Dean. He became John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy at Michigan State University in 2004. In 2018, the West Virginia University School of Business inducted Adelaja into its Roll of Distinguished Alumni.

Early life and education

Education

Pennsylvania State University

Adelaja received his B.S. in Agricultural Mechanization in the class of 1978 at Pennsylvania State University.

West Virginia University

In 1980, Adelaja received his M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the Davis College of WVU. In 1981, he received his M.A. in Economics from the College of Business of WVU. In 1985, he received his PH.D. in Economics from the College of Business of WVU.

Academic career

Idaho State University

In 1985, Adelaja joined the faculty at Idaho State University as an Assistant Professor in Economics. He served as an economic adviser to the Shoshone Bannock Native American tribe at the Fort Hall reservation. As an economic adviser he played a large part in increasing grazing revenues, defining their water rights and developing tribal enterprises and tax ordinances.

Rutgers University

In 1986, Adelaja joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Rutgers University. In 1993, he founded and served as the Director for the Rutgers Ecopolicy Center (ECOPOL). By 1996, he had been appointed Chair of AFRE. In 1997, he served as the Director for and founded the Rutgers Food Policy Institute. In 1999, he founded the Rutgers Food Innovation Center, a center that still serves the Southern New Jersey economy. He was appointed to many state boards and commissions as well as serving as an adviser to the offices of Governors McGreevey and Whitman. In 1999, Soji was appointed as the Dean of Research of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES). "After, he quickly rose to Dean of Cook College, Executive Director of the New Jersey Experiment Station (NJAES), and Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources." As the Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Soji oversaw Rutgers University's largest research unit and a massive college that included 21 extension offices, 18 centers and institutes, 14 departments and 10 research stations. He retired from Rutgers in 2004.

Michigan State University

In 2004, Adelaja joined the faculty at Michigan State University.

Personal life

Dr. Adelaja currently resides in Okemos, Michigan with his wife Frances Adelaja. He has three children, Angel (a renowned entrepreneur based in Abuja, Nigeria), Evan II (an economist) and Beniah II (an economist based in Chicago, IL).

Grants & Contracts

2020

• $1,980,000, Northeast Capacity Building Initiative (NECAP), Source: the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative (PCNI), The Presidency, Federal Republic of Nigeria (Co-PI with Dr. Chinwe Effiong (Pending).
• $183,500, Technology transfer and early stage commercialization of solar- powered traction platform for Nigeria, Source: National Automotive Design and Development Council of Nigeria, (Co-PI with Ajit Srivastava, Justin George and Ozoemena Ani (Pending).
• $12,890,000, Agrifood Youth Opportunity Lab, Source: The MasterCard Foundation, (Co-PI with Julie Howard of the International Studies and Programs, MSU).

2015

• $82,000, Empowering the Power Ministry in Leadership of the Power Sector, Source: Stanbic IBTC Bank, (Project Co-Lead with Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria).

2014

• $140,000, Economic Development of Northern Nigeria, Source: Department for International Development-DFID, (Project Lead for Initiative of the Office of the National Security Adviser).
• $620,000, Empowering the Power Ministry in Leadership of the Power Sector, Source: Department for International Development-DFID (Project Co-Lead with Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria).
• $162,000, Empowering the Power Ministry in Leadership of the Power Sector, Source: Stanbic IBTC Bank, (Project Co-Lead with Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria).

2013

• $140,000, Economic Development of Northern Nigeria, Source: Department for International Development-DFID, (Project Lead for Initiative of the Office of the National Security Adviser).
• $650,000, Empowering the Power Ministry in Leadership of the Power Sector, Source: Department for International Development-DFID (Project Co-Lead with Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria).
• $160,000, Empowering the Power Ministry in Leadership of the Power Sector, Source: Stanbic IBTC Bank, (Project Co-Lead with Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria).

2010

• $208, 205, Saginaw Bay/Lake Huron Land Policy Project, Source: EPA (Co-PI with Mark Wyckoff).
• $200,000, Michigan Prosperity Initiative, Source: Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth – DELEG (Co-PI with Mark Wyckoff).
• $50,000, Michigan Prosperity Initiative, Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation, (Co-PI with Mark Wyckoff).
• $74,772, Building New Places that Create Prosperity, Source: MI Association of Realtors (PI, several Co-PI).

2009

• $25,000, Wind Energy Analysis for Michigan: Decision Support for the Michigan Wind Energy Resource Zone Board, Source: Michigan Public Service Commission (Co-PI with Public Sector Consultants).
• $32,000, TIDE Online Community Assessment with Supplementary Features, Source: Michigan State Housing Development Authority (PI).
• $139,372, An Integrated Assessment Approach for Siting Wind Turbines in Coastal Communities in Michigan, Source: Michigan Seagrant (PI).

2008

• $25,000–Michigan Wind Siting Assessment Study, Source: Michigan Public Service Commission, (PI).
• $80,000, Asset-Based Economic Development Strategy for the Greater Lansing Region, Source: Lansing Economic Area Partnership (PI).
• $40,000, Michigan Wind Energy Research Consortium, Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation (PI).
• $49,129, TIDE: Online Community Assessment, Source: Michigan State Housing Development Authority (PI).
• $18,500, A Scope of Work for the Bio-Based Industries in the Tri-County Region, Source: Tri County Regional Planning Commission (Co-PI).
• $15,000, Natural Resources Valuation Project, Source: Americana Foundation (PI).
• $10,000, Land Use Summit Prosperity Grants for 2007, Source: Frey Foundation (PI).

2007

• $5,962,266- People & Land Phase III Supplemental: Strategic Research, Outreach & Community Capacity Building in Land Use. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI; Co–PI is William Rustem).
• $397,815 – People and Land Phase III Bridge: Strategic Research, Outreach and Community Capacity Building in Land Use. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI; Co-PI is William Rustem).
• $80,000–A Regional Economic Development Plan for the Tri–County Region. Source: Economic Development Administration, US Chamber of Commerce. (Co–PI with Prima Civitas, the Regional Economic Development Team and the Tri–Regional Planning Commission.)

2006

• $200,000–Enhancing and Repositioning the Citizen Planner Program–Phase 2. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI).
• $200,000–The MI Metropolitan Initiative (MMI)–Phase 2: A project of the Michigan Higher Education Land Policy (MIHELP) Consortium. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI).

2005

• $510,000–Modeling US Metropolitan Areas as Hubs of Human–Mediated Pathways of Invasive Species. Source: United States Department of Agriculture (Co–PI with Manuel Olunga–Garcia, Stuart Gage and Jiaguo Qi).
• $199,874–The Michigan Metropolitan Initiative (MMI): A project of the Michigan Metropolitan Consortium. Source:
• W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI).
• $5,900,000–People and Land Phase III: Strategic Research, Outreach and Community Capacity Building in Land Use in Michigan. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI; Co–PI is William Rustem).
• $200,000–Enhancing and Repositioning the Citizen Planner Program. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI; Co–PI’s are Wayne Beyea, Patricia Norris, Christine Gieth and Jerry Rhead).

2004

• $540,000–Restoring Great Lakes Basin Waters Through the Use of Conservation Credits and a Water Balance Analysis. Source: Great Lakes Protection Fund (Co–PI with J. Bartholic, W. Northcott, J. Andresen, S. Li, and M. Kaplowitz).
• $200,000–Strategic Research to Support Short–Term State Policy Objectives for MI. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (PI).

2003

• $100,050–Feasibility analysis of the Online Citizen Planner Education/Certification Program. Source: People and Land Program, W. K. Kellogg Foundation (Co–PI’s are Wayne Beyea and Patricia Norris).
• $3,000,000–Construction of the Food Innovation Center (FIC). Source: NJ Casino Development and Redevelopment Commission, State of New Jersey (Co–PI’s are Margaret Brennan and Lou Cooperhouse).
• $500,000–Kellogg Land Use Policy Program at MSU. Source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation (Co–PI with Doug Roberts).

2002

• $500,000–Seed Grant for the Construction of the Food Innovation Research and Extension Center (FIRE). Source: Cumberland County Empowerment Zone (PI; Co–PI is Margaret Brennan).
• $363,000–Seed Grant for the Construction of the Food Innovation Research and Extension Center (FIRE). Source: City of Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey (PI; Co–PI is Margaret Brennan).
• $475,000–New Jersey Department of Agriculture Block Grant Program. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture and US Dept. of Agriculture (Co–PI is Margaret Brennan).

2001

• $2,500,000–Food Policy Institute, Consumer Perceptions on Food Biotechnology. Source: US
• Dept. of Agriculture, Initiative for the Future of Foods and Agriculture (Co–PI is William Hallman).
• $40,000–Food Policy Institute, Food Waste Diversion Policy. Source: NJ Department of Environmental Protection

2000

• $63,575–Food Policy Institute, The Market for Botanicals and Natural Products: Trade Opportunities for the United States and West Africa. Source: US Agency for International Development (PI).
• $55,000–Food Industry Research and Extension Center, Jumpstarting the Food Innovation Research and Extension Center. Source: Bridgeton–Millville Empowerment Zone (PI).
• $5,000–Food Industry Research and Extension Center, Jumpstarting the Food Innovation Research and Extension Center. Source: City of Bridgeton, NJ (PI).
• $40,000–Food Innovation Research and Extension Center, Feasibility of the Incubator Component of the FIRE Center. Source: New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology (PI).
• $5,000–Food Policy Institute, Research Endowment. Source: Parmalat Inc (PI).

1999

• $432,000–Food Policy Institute, Jumpstarting the FPI. Source: Kellogg Middle Atlantic Consortium (PI).
• $33,000,–Food Policy Institute, A Pilot Project of Outreach/Research for Increased Diversion of Computers, Mercury Switching Devices, and Florescent Light bulbs from the Residential Waste Stream. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 (PI).
• $45,089, Watershed Management Analysis. Source: NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, (PI).

1998

• $94,445, A Cooperative Approach to the Development, Production, and Marketing of a Valued–Added Blueberry Product. Source: US Dept. of Agriculture, Rural–Business Cooperative Service (PI).
• $29,460, A Cooperative Approach to the Development, Production, and Marketing of a Value–Added Blueberry Product. Source: Pinelands Commission (PI).
• $5,000, A Cooperative Approach to the Development, Production, and Marketing of a Value–Added Blueberry Product. Source: NJ Blueberry Council (PI).
• $6,000, A Cooperative Approach to the Development, Production, and Marketing of a Value–Added Blueberry Product. Source: New Jersey Farm Bureau (PI).
• $85,300, Marketing of Organic Produce in the Northeast US and Implications for Small Farms. Source: Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, FSMIP (Co–PI with Ramu Govindasamy).

1997

• $55,000, Enhancing the Market for Nutraceuticals in the Mid–Atlantic Region. Source: US Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, FSMIP (PI).
• $4,000, Effects of Public Expenditures on the Jersey Promotional Program. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Markets and Commodity Promotion (PI).
• $10,000, A Regional Approach to University, Government and University Collaboration in Policy Development and Education to Support the Mid–Atlantic Food System into the 21st Century. Source: Mid–Atlantic Consortium Food Systems Professions Education Initiative, Kellogg Foundation (PI).
• $48,349, Conducting an Assessment of Education and Experimentation in Order to Gain Sufficient Understanding of Farmers’ Market Operations: A Coalition Approach. Source: US Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (Co–PI with Edmund Tavernier).

1996

• $49,975, The Market for Nutraceuticals in the Mid–Atlantic Region. Source: US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, FSMIP (PI).
• $27,098, Promoting Sustainable Agriculture through a Systems Approach to Consensus Building. Source: Northeastern Regional Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (Co–PI with Edmund Tavernier).

1995

• $110,400, Economic Analysis Capacity Building at the NJ Department of Agriculture: Phase II. Source: NJ Dept. of
• Agriculture, Office of the Secretary (PI).
• $95,000, Institutional, Legal and Economic Analysis of NJ Soil Conservation Districts. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Program (PI).
• $30,000, Problems Facing the New Jersey Dairy Industry and Reasons for Rapid Industry Decline. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Dairy and Commodity Regulation (PI).
• $63,000, Supplemental Income Opportunities for NJ Farmers. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources.
• $20,000, Strategic Planning for Economic Development in the Food Industry. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary (PI).
• $35,000, Development of Equity Insurance, Equity Mortgage & Other Innovative Farmland Preservation Tools. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $17,000, Regulations Affecting Agriculture in New Jersey. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI; Co–PI with Edmund Tavernier).
• $15,000, Production Information for New Jersey Farm Enterprises. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI; Co–PI with Pritam Dhillon).
• $39,000, Capitalization of Net Farm Income for Farmland Assessment Valuation. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI; Co–PI with Donn Derr).
• $25,000, NJ’s Commercial and Recreational Fishing Industries: Phase II. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources, Fisheries Development Program (PI; Co–PI with Bonnie McCay).
• $54,000, Inheritance Tax, Inter–generational Transfer and Farmland Preservation. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $19,600, Further Assessment of the Impacts of the Agricultural Economic Recovery & Development Initiative. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $20,000, Analysis of NJ’s Farm Building Appraisal Procedures. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $20,000, Economic Contributions of New Jersey’s Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Complex. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary (PI).

1994

• $48,000, Legal, Institutional, Economic and Social Analysis of Right to Farm In New Jersey. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary (PI).
• $20,000, Economic Impact of the Agricultural Economic Recovery and Development Initiative (AERDI). Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $66,000, Problems Facing Food Firms in New Jersey. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary (PI).
• $58,000, Analysis of PDR, TDR, Other Preservation Tools and Sources of Farmland Preservation Funding. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $64,000, Land–use, Open Space & Fiscal Impacts of Changing Farmland Assessment Eligibility Requirements. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $33,000, Status and Conditions of NJ’s Fish and Seafood Industries. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture. Division of Rural Resources, Fisheries Development Program (PI; Co–PI with Bonnie McCay).
• $95,000, Economic Analysis Capacity Building at the NJ Department of Agriculture. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources, Fisheries Development Program (PI).
• $1,500, Returns to the Jersey Fresh Promotional Program. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Markets (PI).

1993

• $25,000, Coalitions for Agriculture and the Environment in Urbanizing Areas. Source: Northeastern Center for Rural Development (PI; Co–PI is Edmund Tavernier).
• $110,000, Research to Support Agricultural Policy Decisions, Strategic Planning and Consensus Building for the Economic Viability and Long Term Sustainability of NJ Agriculture. Sources: NJ Farms Commission & NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary (PI).

1992

• $46,500, Sub–sectoral Analysis of the Structure and Performance of New Jersey Agriculture. Sources: NJ Dept. of Agriculture. Office of the Secretary & the NJ Farms Commission (PI).
• $10,500, Agricultural Economic Recovery and Development Initiative Project. Sources: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary & the NJ Farms Commission (PI).

1991

• $200,000, Analysis of the Impact of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan Source: NJ Office of State Planning (Participating Investigator with Robert Burchell as Principal Investigator).

1988

• $22,375, The Contributions of the Agricultural and Food Industry to NJ's Economy. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Rural Resources (PI).
• $18,050, Financial and Economic Impact Analysis of the NJ Horse Park. Source: NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Markets (PI).

1986

• $200,000, Tax Policy and Economic Development on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Source: Administration for Native Americans, U.S. Dept of Health (Co-Investigator with Charles Pace as PI).

Awards & Honors

"In recognition of his service at Rutgers, Soji received several Excellence in Research awards, an Excellence in Outreach award, two Team Awards for Excellence, the Presidential Award for Distinguished Public Service, an Award from the New Jersey Legislature for outstanding contributions to the Garden State and a special recognition from Governor James McGreevey for his contribution to the development of the State of New Jersey. In 2004, Soji was honored as the George Hammell Cook Emeritus Executive Dean and Professor in recognition of his service to the university and the state."