Nigerians from different works of life, particularly, the academia and academics rolled out drums on Thursday, May 2, 2024, to celebrate the 90th birthday of a Nigerian-born international English language scholar, Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, popularly called Professor Ayo Banjo.
Banjo, was, among others, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), former Chairman of the Board of the National Universities Commission, and former Pro-Chancellor of the Universities of Port Harcourt, Ilorin, and Ajayi Crowther.
In a message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, titled, “President Tinubu congratulates Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo at 90″, Tinubu celebrated Banjo ” for his remarkable contributions to the development of education in Nigeria”, and wished him “good health and many more years filled with joy”.
On behalf of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, its Pro-Chancellor, and Chairman of the Governing Council Dr Olutoyin Okeowo, and the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Timothy Adebayo, described Banjo as a distinguished personality, whose towering eminence is celebrated widely across the globe.
Okeowo said, “Ayo Banjo remains a great man of imposing height, having been able to touch many lives positively and having been very instrumental to nurturing and sustaining the lives of many universities and other socio-political institutions in and outside Nigeria”, adding that the institution would continue to benefit from the operational template laid by Banjo as well as benefaction he and other notable individuals who served the institutions have attracted to the university.
Also, Prof Adebayo said the university community would continue to celebrate Prof Banjo for his visionary leadership and exemplary dedication to advancing the university’s mission of academic excellence and moral uprightness.
“Prof Ayo Banjo embodies the spirit of service and integrity that defines Ajayi Crowther University. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of our university, guiding us towards the realisation of our collective aspirations. As we celebrate this milestone, the university expresses profound gratitude for the privilege of having Prof Banjo as our pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Indeed, His unwavering commitment to upholding the institution’s core values and fostering a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and social responsibility is unrivalled,” said the Vice-Chancellor’, he said.
Eulogising Banjo, the 12th Vice Chancellor of the nation’s Premier University, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, describing the celebrant as a very compassionate and considerate person, said, “Banjo was very supportive of all our humble efforts during my five-year stint as VC, especially his numerous interventions during crisis periods. He attended all the five Convocation ceremonies held during my tenure except for the 2020 edition, no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am aware of his sadness regarding the unsavoury developments associated with the appointment of the 13th VC of the University of Ibadan. Happily, the matter has since been resolved amicably, and put where it rightly belongs; behind us.”
Olayinka described Banjo as a very humane person and a great ambassador of the Nigerian University System, with a solid work ethics, and a very powerful gift of memory of past events.
According to Olayinkka, Banjo “speaks at every available opportunity on the governance of the universities, university autonomy, academic freedom, financial autonomy, student admissions; public and global perception and ranking of Nigerian universities, irregular academic calendar, the university committee system, and powers of University Councils, among many other related sub-themes… The greatest tribute this country can perhaps pay to Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo, in repositioning the Nigerian educational system, especially at the University level, is to implement his far-reaching recommendations which he has been making for the better part of the past six decades as a well-informed insider and a primus inter pares in the system.”
In their congratulatory message, the Society of Young Writers (SYNW), said that the contributions of Banjo to education, literature, and intellectual discourse have left an indelible mark not only on Nigeria but also beyond its border.
A statement from the group reads: “Professor Ayo Banjo has served as a guiding light for countless individuals. His profound insights and dedication to academic excellence have nurtured generations of intellectuals and shaped the Nigerian educational landscape. SYNW recognizes Professor Banjo’s significant role in fostering an appreciation for the English language and literature in Nigeria. His scholarly works have enriched the nation’s literary heritage, promoting a deeper understanding of cultural identity and linguistic diversity.”
“Professor Banjo’s influence extends far beyond academia. His exemplary leadership and advocacy for quality education have inspired positive change within educational institutions across the country. His vision has paved the way for a more innovative, excellent, and inclusive academic environment. As we celebrate his 90th birthday, SyNW acknowledges Professor Banjo’s enduring legacy in the literary and academic sphere. We express our deepest gratitude for his mentorship, guidance, and unwavering dedication to nurturing young writers and scholars”, the statement concluded.
Ladipo was born on May 2, 1934, in Oyo State, Nigeria, to the family of Reverend Ayodeji Banjo. He attended St. Andrews Anglican Primary School and Christ Cathedral Primary School in Lagos State, Nigeria. He attended Igbobi College in Lagos State, Nigeria, between 1947 and 1952. In 1966, he won the American State Department scholarship award for a Master of Art (M.A) degree in linguistics at the University of Califonia, Los Angeles, United States. He later obtained a Doctorate degree (PhD) in 1969 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
He began his career as a lecturer at the Department of English Language, University of Ibadan in 1966. He was appointed associate professor in 1973 and became a full professor in 1975 at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1981, he became the vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan. He was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan in 1984, a position he held till 1991. During this period, he was the chairman committee of vice chancellor of Nigerian universities. He served as a visiting professor for one year at the University of West Indies at Cave Hill as well as a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge, England between 1993 and 1994. He was appointed as the pro-chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt between 2000 and 2004. After his tenure, he was appointed as pro-chancellor of the University of Ilorin for two years (2005-2007). He also served as the incumbent pro-chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University.
