Prof Ayodeji Banjo, a former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State is dead.
Banjo, who was the VC of UI between 1984 1991 died on Friday at the age of 90. Before then, he became acting VC of the varsity in 1983.
In 1966, he started his career as a lecturer at the Department of English in UI and obtained a doctorate degree from UI in 1969.
In 1973 and 1975, he became an associate professor and a full professor, respectively.
Between 2005 and 2007, he was appointed pro-chancellor of the University of Ilorin.
Until his death, Banjo served as the pro-chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University.
In a statement by Olutoyin Okeowo, Chairman of the Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, said the varsity received Banjo death as a saddened one, adding that he would always be remembered.
“Today, we honour and remember our pioneer Pro-Chancellor, Banjo, a visionary leader and pioneering Pro-Chancellor of our great university, whose legacy will forever be etched in the annals of our institution. He was not only a guiding light for our university but also a source of inspiration for countless students, faculty, and colleagues.
“He dedicated his life to the pursuit of academic excellence and the betterment of higher education. He believed in the transformative power of education and worked tirelessly to ensure that our university provided the highest quality of learning and development opportunities.
“Under his stewardship, our institution flourished, achieving milestones that many deemed impossible. His tenure as Pro-Chancellor was marked by groundbreaking initiatives and unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and integrity. Banjo championed the creation of state-of-the-art facilities, the development of cutting-edge research programs, and the expansion of our outreach,” he said.
