She is a Professor of Plant Pathology with over 24 years of extensive research in the field of Crop Protection. She has successfully mentored and supervised over 58 undergraduate projects and postgraduate theses. Her research focuses on the use of traditional herbal therapy (plants and spices) for plant health. She has excellent management skills and experience in managing academic, research, and non-research staff to efficiently deliver on departmental and university goals. She is a member of the Senate, University of Benin, and various university committees and boards. She is a Fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Program. She is also a member of Nigerian and international research bodies collaborating to find solutions to phytopathological challenges. She has authored and co-authored numerous publications in local and international journals.
Adefunke served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin Journal from 2015 to 2020. She has received international research fellowships from IITA and the CAS-TWAS Visiting Scholar program in China. She has held several administrative positions in the university, including Head of the Department of Crop Science, Postgraduate Coordinator, and Departmental Coordinator for the Field Practical Training program. She has also served as an external examiner and assessor for various universities. She has been nominated to serve on the Advisory Committee of the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) Traditional Medicine Program since 2021. Her areas of expertise include plant pathology, crop protection, and the use of traditional herbal therapy for plant health. She has a strong background in research, administration, and community engagement within the university system.
She is the current Director Center for Gender Studies, University of Benin, President Faculty of Agric Multi- Purpose Corperative Society (FACOOP) and the Chairperson Board of Trustees, at Kadosh Initiative for Justice and Environmental Development (KIJED)