Obafemi Awolowo University
 | |
Former names | University of Ife |
|---|---|
| Motto | For Learning and Culture |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1961 |
| Location | Ile-Ife, Osun State , Nigeria |
| Website | www |
Obafemi Awolowo University (also known as OAU) is a public university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.[1] It was founded in 1961 by the regional government of Western Nigeria. Classes began in October 1962.[2] The university was first called the University of Ife. It was renamed in 1987 to honour Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria.[3]
History
In 1961, the Western Regional Assembly voted to create a new university. The land for the campus, about 13,000 acres, was donated by the people of Ile-Ife.[4]The university first opened on 22 September 1962 with 244 students at a temporary location in Ibadan.[5] The university moved to its permanent campus in Ile-Ife in January 1967.[6]In 1975, the university became a federal university under the control of the Nigerian federal government.[7]On 10 July 1999, several students were killed on campus in what became known as the Obafemi Awolowo University massacre.[8]
Faculties
The university has 13 faculties and two colleges. These cover subjects including arts, law, science, engineering, medicine, social sciences and education.[9]
Library
The university's main library is called the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library. It is named after the university's second Vice-Chancellor. The library has seating for 2,500 people and holds over 300,000 titles.[10]
Vice-chancellors
The following people have served as Vice-Chancellor:[11]
- Oladele Ajose (1962–1966)
- Hezekiah Adedunmola Oluwasanmi (1966–1975)
- Ojetunji Aboyade (1975–1978)
- Cyril Agodi Onwumechili (1979–1982)
- Wande Abimbola (1982–1989)
- C. Adeniyi Osuntogun (1990–1991)
- Wale Omole (1991–1999)
- Roger Makanjuola (1999–2006)
- Micheal Oladimeji Faborode (2006–2011)
- Idowu Bamitale Omole (2011–2016)
- Anthony Elujoba (acting, 2016–2017)
- Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede (2017–2022)
- Adebayo Simeon Bamire (2022–present)[12]
Notable alumni
Government and politics
- Akinwumi Adesina – President of the African Development Bank
- Kayode Fayemi – former Governor of Ekiti State
- Femi Falana – human rights lawyer
- Lai Mohammed – former Nigerian Minister of Information
- Remi Tinubu – First Lady of Nigeria
Business
- Ibukun Awosika – chairman of First Bank Nigeria
- Femi Otedola – businessman
- Oscar N. Onyema – former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Stock Exchange
Arts and media
- Wole Soyinka – Nobel Prize winner in literature, former professor at the university[13]
- Asake – musician[14]
- Fireboy DML – singer and songwriter
- Biyi Bandele – novelist and playwright
Religion
- Enoch Adeboye – General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
References
- ↑ "List of Nigerian Universities and Years Founded". National Universities Commission. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ↑ Wahab, Bayo (18 January 2018). "Here's why OAU is believed to be the best university in Nigeria". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ↑ "The Foundation". Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ↑ Fafunwa, Babatunde (1974). "The Growth and Development of Nigerian Universities". Overseas Liaison Committee: American Council on Education: 1–28.
- ↑ Olaniyan, Richard (1983). Ife University in colour: a Panorama of Africa's most beautiful campus. Ife, Nigeria: Ife University.
- ↑ Olaniyan, Richard (1983). Ife University in colour: a Panorama of Africa's most beautiful campus. Ife, Nigeria: Ife University.
- ↑ Olaniyan, Richard (1983). Ife University in colour: a Panorama of Africa's most beautiful campus. Ife, Nigeria: Ife University.
- ↑ "Arrests after Nigerian cult killings". BBC News. 12 July 1999. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ↑ "Faculties". Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ↑ "Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library". OAU. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ↑ "Brief History of the University". Obafemi Awolowo University. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ↑ "OAU gets new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire". Vanguard. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ↑ "Faculty of Arts OAU".
- ↑ "Asake". Deezer. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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