Engr. Adedamola Kuti: On The Golden Fleet Of Excellence

Adedamola is a rare breed with an exquisite flavor of excellence from cradle to the top. Perhaps leaning on a more genetic side of things, he seems to come from a lineage where everything answers to distinction. However, this does not come on a platter of gold. It is a function of parental discipline reproduced in self-rebirth where resilience, focus, and hard work set one apart for distinction. This clearly defines the personality of Engr. Adedamola Kuti.

Adedamola Kuti was born at the popular Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos on 15th November 1965 to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Victor Ademola Kuti, JP, of Ijebu Imusin, Ogun State. He started his elementary school at Yaba Model School, Surulere, Lagos in September 1971, where he earned the First School Leaving Certificate in July 1977. He proceeded to Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos in September 1977 for his secondary education, where he also earned a General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level in June 1982. He gained admission to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos (University of First Choice) in November 1982.

After a year in the University, he switched to the Department of Civil Engineering and graduated in March 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at the University, Adedamola was the President of the University of Lagos Engineering Society (ULES) during the 1986/1987 academic session.

Adedamola began his Civil Service career when he was recruited by the then Federal Ministry of Works & Housing on 11th September 1989 as a Pupil Engineer. He was posted to the Imo State Field Headquarters of the Ministry in October 1989. He later received an internal posting to the Rehabilitation of Abakaliki – Afikpo Road Section II in October 1990 as Resident Engineer. When Abia State was created in August 1991, he became one of the pioneer staff and served as a Zonal Leader for Federal Roads maintenance in Afikpo Zone, continuing until 1996, when he was reassigned to another project in Umuahia. Notable projects handled by him include the Rehabilitation of Umuahia – Bende – Ohafia Road and the Rehabilitation of Enugu Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway as Principal Resident Engineer. He was also actively involved in various maintenance works within and around the state.

In 2006, Adedamola was appointed Chief Maintenance Engineer for Abia State under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). Barely a year later in 2007, he was posted to Kogi State as Chief Maintenance Engineer under the same agency. Three years later, in 2010, he was promoted and posted as the Zonal Coordinator/Director for the North Central Zone, covering Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and the FCT. In 2011, he was reassigned to coordinate FERMA’s maintenance activities in the North East I Zone, comprising Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa States.

After six years in FERMA, Adedamola returned to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 2012, posted as Deputy Director, North East Zone, at the Headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja. He was in this zone during the critical period of Boko Haram insurgency, from 2012 to 2018. Later, he was posted as the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, in March 2018, where he served for 24 months until March 2020. During this period, he was the Engineer’s Representative on key economic projects such as:

1. Rehabilitation, Reconstruction & Expansion of Lagos – Ibadan Expressway Section;

2. Rehabilitation and Expansion of Lagos-Badagry-Nigeria/Benin Border Road;

3. Reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway;

4. Rehabilitation of Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road Section I;

5. Rehabilitation of Ikorodu–Shagamu Road;

6. Rehabilitation of Third Mainland Bridge;

7. Maintenance of Independence, Dormalong, Ojuelegba, Alaka, and Ijora Bridges.

In March 2020, Adedamola was promoted to the rank of Director, Federal Highways, and posted to take charge of the Southwest Zone at the Headquarters. He served diligently in this role until November 2023 when he was appointed as the Director of Highways, Rehabilitation. After four months, in March 2024, he was reassigned as the Director of Highways Materials Geotechnics and Quality Control, a position he held until 11th September 2024.

Adedamola’s career progression within the Federal Civil Service is as follows:

1. Pupil Engineer (September 1989)

2. Civil Engineer I (January 1991)

3. Senior Civil Engineer (October 1995)

4. Principal Civil Engineer (January 1999)

5. Assistant Chief Engineer (January 2002)

6. Chief Civil Engineer (January 2005)

7. Assistant Director (January 2008)

8. Deputy Director (January 2012)

9. Director (January 2018)

He is a COREN Registered Engineer (Jan. 1998, R.7265) and is also a member of several professional bodies, including:

Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (2011).

Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers (2014).

Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (2018).

Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (2019).

Adedamola is distinguished by certain qualities, particularly his insatiable curiosity. He consistently seeks to know how things work and improve systems, which is the driving force behind his innovations in the industry. He is committed to professional development and is adaptable to changes, ensuring that his skill set remains at the cutting edge of his field. His creativity and innovative thinking are evident in the unique solutions he brings to engineering projects, delivering systems integration and automation solutions to clients.

He has attended many professional and management courses both at home and abroad. Adedamola is a Christian and a member of the Order of Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) since 2002. On the home front, he holds the titles of:

Otunba Ajisefini of Abigi Land
Asiwaju of Ipebi, Ijebu Imusin

On the social front, Adedamola values the ethics of friendship and association, and is a member of:

May 15 Elite Club
Lagos Island Club
Ijebu Ode Club

Adedamola is happily married to his heartthrob, Yeye Asiwaju Oluwaseun Kuti, and their marriage is blessed with beautiful children. Civil engineering, particularly for Adedamola, has been highly fulfilling. His work directly impacts the community, and through his prestigious career, he has made significant contributions to humanity. The pay, the prestige, the challenges, creativity, and success have all been integral parts of his fulfilling career in civil engineering.

 

– The Issues Magazine

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