In 1968, Mabogunje wrote Urbanization in
Nigeria, about
urbanization and state formation. In the book, Mabogunje argued that the existence of
specialists is not sufficient to cause urbanization. Mabogunje describes three "limiting conditions" which are additionally required: a surplus of food production, a small group of powerful people to control the surplus and maintain peace, and a class of traders or merchants who can provide materials to the specialists.[2] He was the Chairman of
Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy and mentor to its founder
Tunji Olaopa.[7]
He was African president of the International Geographical Union.
In 1999, he was the first African to be elected as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences.
In 1968, Mabogunje wrote Urbanization in Nigeria, about urbanization and state formation.
In 2017 he received the Vautrin Lud prize.
He was the Chairman of Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy
He was a member of the Western Nigerian Economic Advisory Council (1967–71);
Member, Federal Public Service Review Commission (1972–74);
Consultant, National Census Board (1973–74);
Chairman, Nigerian Council for Management Development (1976–79);
Consultant, Federal Capital Development Authority (1976–84);
Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State (2005 - 2015)
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye (1982–91);
Member, Board of Directorate of DFRRI (1986–1993);
Member, Board of Trustees Nigerian National Merit Award Endowment Fund (1983–1989) later Chairman of the Fund (1989–94)
Executive Chairman of the National Board for Community Banks (1991–94).
Member of the Board of Directors, Nigerian Agricultural Products Co. Ltd. (1975–76);
Vice-Chairman, Pai Association International (Nig.) (1974–1989);
Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors Pi, International Co. Ltd. (1990–?);
Chairman, Board of Directors, Fountain Publications (1990-date); Member, Board of Directors, Shonny Investments and Properties Ltd. (1994–?)
Chairman Board of Directors, First Interstate Merchant Bank (Nig.) Ltd. (1995–?).
Publications
He published many book chapters, journal articles, conference papers, solicited papers, technical reports, books and monographs in local and international outlets among which include:
Urbanization in Nigeria
The development process: a spatial perspective
Regional mobility and resource development in West Africa
The state of the earth: contemporary geographic perspectives
Yoruba towns : based on a lecture entitled "Problems of a pre-industrial urbanization in West Africa" given before the Philosophical Society on 12 April 1961
Shelter provision in developing countries : the influence of standards and criteria