I was attending a function at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, when I received the news of the transition of Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo, CON, FNAL, NNOM, JP, former and longest-serving Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI). My mind flashed back to my first encounter with him as a student of UI. That was during my matriculation ceremony in 1985. I also recalled my graduation ceremony. That was at the Congregation for the Convocation for the award of degrees on 14 November 1988 which coincided with the activities for the 40th anniversary of UI. Professor Ayo Banjo presided at both ceremonies which held at the iconic Trenchard Hall as Vice-Chancellor.
In my opinion, there are five locations a UI VC can hardly forget even after his stewardship: these are the VC’s office, the VC Lodge, the Senate Chambers, the Council Chambers and Trenchard Hall. Of all these locations, Trenchard Hall is the most accessible; it is the place where the gown connects with the town within the precincts of the university. It is the place the University bids farewell to its highly treasured members who have gone the way of all flesh if their religious preferences permit it. Most public engagements of Vice-Chancellors take place at Trenchard Hall and its significance in the lives of many UI students and staff is remarkable and indelible.
Professor Ayo Banjo as Acting Vice-Chancellor inaugurated the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan on 1 August 1984. In November 1984, he had the rare privilege of admitting the first set of law graduates to the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) of the University of Ibadan. It was also his lot to admit to the degree of LLB the next seven sets of LLB graduates from 1985 to 1991. These law graduates have been worthy ambassadors of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and globally.
Prof Ayo Banjo was many things to the Faculty of Law, UI. He played an active role in nurturing the Faculty from infancy. I have information he attended some meetings of the Faculty Board of Law and took his seat as a member of the Board as prescribed by law, with the Dean presiding. His significant role in the growth of the Faculty of Law extended to collaborating with the Faculty leadership to facilitate donations including that of the princely sum of over N300,000 by the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, Chief Adeola Odutola, for the building of a Law Library. Prof Banjo was also a parent of one of the illustrious alumni of the Faculty of Law, who is into International Law practice. He was a Patron of the Law Students’ Society (LSS), University of Ibadan. He found time in spite of his busy schedule to grace some of the functions of the LSS including Law Dinners. I recall on one occasion, he was represented by his Deputy, Late Professor Peter Bodunrin, also a parent of an alumna.
Prof Ayo Banjo also witnessed the growth of some other organs of the University. The College of Medicine took a robust shape under his administration. When the College of Medicine Building was commissioned under the Administration of the first Provost, Professor Oluwole Akande, he was there to give support. His desire to make the collegiate system a university-wide administrative structure to streamline University administration and take some burden off the Central Administration was short-lived as it appeared the University was not prepared for it.
Service to the university through harnessing the full potentials of all critical stakeholders was crucial in Prof Ayo Banjo’s style. He was always willing, ready and available for the system and eager to collaborate with others for the good of the system. Prof Banjo served as Head, Department of Engish. He was Dean of Arts. He vied for the position of Vice Chancellor with Prof Olajuwon Olayide, when it was being vacated by the first alumnus Vice Chancellor, Prof Tekena Tamuno. Prof Olajuwon Olayide emerged as VC and Prof Ayo Banjo later emerged as Deputy VC to Prof Olayide.
Prof Banjo became Acting Vice-Chancellor upon the expiration of Prof Olayide’s tenure as VC for a year before he secured his first term of 4 years as VC and a second term of 3 years allowed by law at that time. It is desirable for the university to return to these glorious days of getting everyone on board to work together for the good of the system.
I have written elsewhere on Prof Banjo’s perception of students and their representative body, the Students’ Union, as critical stakeholders in the University project. My closest encounter with him as a student was in 1987 when the President of Students’ Union, Sina Odugbemi, and the Speaker of the Students Representatives Council (SRC), Benson Osadolor (now, Prof) led members of the SRC to a meeting with the University Management at the Senate Building to advance arguments why the University of Ibadan should not introduce examination fees. We successfully aborted the plan of the University of Ibadan to introduce examination fees for that session and delayed it for a few more years.
Professor Ayo Banjo has become an integral part of the lives of thousands of UI former students. Graduates of UI over a period of 8 years (1984-1991) would find Prof Ayo Banjo’s signature on their certificates. His memory is certainly etched on the minds of many permanently.
Professor Ayo Banjo occupied Room 67 in the Faculty of Arts Building and at UI’s 67th Foundation Day Ceremony and Convocation for the award of doctorate degrees and honorary degees in November 2015, a grateful university honoured him with an honorary doctor of letters (D.Litt) degree. The Chancellor, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III CFR, the Sultan of Sokoto, remarked on the coincidence of 67 for Prof Banjo. The Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge in UI at the tail end of Niger Road is also named after Prof Ayo Banjo as Ayo Banjo Manor.
Prof Ayo Banjo was a Vice-Chancellor one was proud to have. Should one talk about his mien, carriage, sartorial appearance, captivating baritone voice, simplicity, humility, approachability and dignifying presence?
Fortunately, Prof Ayo Banjo, in his memoir, In the saddle, has captured some of his experience as Vice Chancellor for posterity and the book has quite expectedly attracted some rejoinders.
Prof Banjo’s life was one fully devoted to the service of humanity especially to the education sector as a teacher, researcher and administrator at different levels and the university system in Nigeria.
On 2 May, 2024, Professor Ayo Banjo attained the significant landmark age of 90 years. On 3 May 2024, The Ibadan Philharmonic Society (TIPS) founded in 2015 through a genuine desire to return the city of Ibadan to Nigeria’s musical hub, in conjuction with the University of Ibadan, presented a Birthday Concert in honour of Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TIPS with the title “Ma gbagbe Ile” (Do not forget your heritage). The special request by Prof Ayo Banjo consisted of the following pieces:
a. The Heavens are telling – composed by J. F. Haydn
b. The Lord is great – composed by J. F. Haydn
c. Laudate dominum -composed by W. A. Mozart.
The title of the concert, which replicates the title of Dayo Dedeke’s (1921-1994) collections and the piece, Heavens are telling of the glory of God, remind us all we have a home we must always keep in memory (KIM).
Condolences to the immediate family of Prof Ayo Banjo! Condolences to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, the Dean of Arts and the Head, Department of English.
In hope of eternal life in God’s presence where music will rend the air and flow ceaselessly, it is apt to conclude this tribute in Professor Ayo Banjo’s own words in his short but profound tribute to his late wife:
“Another place, another time.”
Adieu, my Vice-Chancellor!
Adieu, our Vice-Chancellor!!
Adieu, Professor Ayo Banjo, CON, FNAL, NNOM, JP!!!
John Oluwole A Akintayo,
Faculty of Law,
University of Ibadan (UI)
