Engr. Foluseke Adewunmi Olajide Phillips was born at Igbore Abeokuta on 27 October, 1915. He had his primary education at St. Paul’s School, Igbore, Abeokuta (1922 – 27), from where he proceeded to the C.M.S. Grammar School, Lagos (1927-31) and then to King College, Lagos (1931-34). He completed his secondary education at King’s College.

His ambition to become an Engineer first came to light at the age of 15 years when he dismantled his elder brother’s watch but could not reassemble it. At the age of 19, began the life long journey to his ambition when he was appointed a special course apprentice for 61/2 years.

From 1935 to 1941, he served his apprenticeship, attended part time tutorial at the Yaba Higher College, and passed all the necessary examinations. In 1943 Seke Phillips became a graduate member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, an Associates member in 1948 and a Fellow in 1958. He thus became an engineer through apprenticeship, correspondence, self tutorship and on-the job training.

He rose from Draftsman Grade 1 in 1942 to become the Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1960 the first Nigerian to occupy the post.

In 1953 at the age of 38years and as a senior Assistant work Manager he was recommended for, and awarded MBE, the badge for which was presented to him by the Queen of England during her visit to Nigeria in 1960.

He received the Chris Abebe Award from the Nigerian Institute of Management (1978) and from the members of the International Agencies of FIDIC Liaison committee in recognition of his services to his fellow Consulting Engineers (1982.)

In 1965, he became the General Manager of the Nigerian Rail corporation but had to relinquish the post to a military man after the military took over the governance of the country. A principled man, he immediately asked for voluntary retirement. He was, however, not allowed to leave as he was recalled and appointed General Manager in December 1966.

On retirement from the Railways in 1970, Engr. Phillips formed a mechanical and electrical engineering consulting firm FAO Phillips and Associates, which he ran until his death. The firm had many projects to its credit.

Engr. Phillips initiated the formation of the Association of Consulting Engineers Nigeria ACEN. He led ACEN to the International Federation of Consulting Engineer s’, FIDIC, conference in observer status until full admission in 1979. Pa served on one of FIDIC committees and he was given an award by FIDIC in 1980. He died on January 5, 2008.