The death of Emeritus Professor of English, Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, came as a shock to the University of Ibadan (UI) community and indeed all those who encountered the erudite professor in the academic world. He died on May 24, 2024, at the age of 90.
A native of Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State, Banjo was born on May 2, 1934, in Oyo town, now in Oyo State. He attended St. Andrew’s Anglican Primary School, Oyo, as well as Christ Cathedral Primary School in Lagos. He went to Igbobi College for his secondary education, between 1947 and 1952. He had an excellent performance at A’ Level Class at the Nigeria College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan. Consequently, he got British Council scholarship in 1959 to study Master of Art in English Language at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He later did post-graduate diploma (PGD) in Education and PGD in English Studies at the University of Leeds in England. He also obtained a master’s degree in Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the United States of America, courtesy of the scholarship awarded by the United States Department of State in 1966. In 1969, he obtained a PhD in English Language from the UI.
Banjo had an impact-filled academic career. Between 1960 and 1966, he was education officer and later rose to senior education officer in Western Nigeria. He started his career as a lecturer in 1966 at the Department of English Language in UI. In 1973, he became associate professor and, in 1975, became full professor of English Language at UI. He was dean, Faculty of Arts, UI, between 1977 and 1979; and head of the Department of English Language, between 1980 and 1981. He was appointed deputy vice-chancellor of UI from 1981 to 1983; acting vice-chancellor, from 1983 to 1984; and the substantive vice-chancellor (VC) between 1984 and 1991. He happened to be the longest serving VC in the history of the university. As VC, he was chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (1989 to 1990). After his term as VC, Banjo returned to the classroom to lecture. He retired from the UI in 1994 on attainment of 60 years of age in service and was awarded emeritus professor the same year.
Banjo’s impact was felt not only in the UI. Between 1993 and 1994, he was a visiting fellow, Research Centre for English and Applied Linguistics, at the University of Cambridge in England as well as visiting professor, Agder College, Kristiansand, Norway. For one year (1980 to 1981), he was a visiting professor at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados. He was also pro-chancellor, University of Port Harcourt (2000 – 2004); Pro-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (2005 – 2007); Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (2000 – 2004) and Pro-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo (2005 – 2014). He was also Chancellor of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State.
He won many awards and honours, including Justice of the Peace (JP), Oyo State, in 1984; D. Litt. Honoris Causa (Port Harcourt) in 2005, and Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 2009. He was conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2001. He was also a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Letters (2000) and President of the Nigeria Academy of Letters between 2000 and 2004, Fellow of the Nigeria English Studies Association (2006), Fellow of the Institute of Petroleum Studies and Chairman of Sigma Foundation between 2005 and 2010. In spite of these laurels, he was humble and ever willing to learn.
To his credit are over 55 publications, which include books, chapters in books and articles in learned journals. His publications covered such areas as stylistic studies of Nigerian literature of English expression, English course books at primary and secondary levels, among others.
Recognizing the immense contributions of Professor Banjo to the academic and administrative life of some of our universities, a number of prominent Nigerians paid glowing tributes to him. President Bola Tinubu described him as a stout beacon of professional and moral excellence. A professor of Geology and immediate past VC of UI, Professor Idowu Olayinka, said Banjo was highly approachable. The Chairman of the Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Olutoyin Okeowo, said under Banjo as Pro-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University “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.”
The emeritus professor was married to the late Alice Banjo from Anambra State and was blessed with four children and some grandchildren. We commiserate with his family and friends. May God give them the fortitude to bear the huge loss. Such a man deserves to be honoured with a monument.