Ayo Banjo

Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, CON (2 May 1934 – 24 May 2024) was a Nigerian educational administrator and emeritus professor of English who was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He also served as pro-chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University.[1]

Ayo Banjo
CON
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan
In office
1984–1991
President, Nigeria Academy of Letters
In office
2000–2004
Personal details
Born
Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo

(1934-05-02)2 May 1934
Oyo, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
Died24 May 2024(2024-05-24) (aged 90)

Early life and education

Ayo Banjo was born on 2 May 1934 in Oyo, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria (now in Oyo State, Nigeria) to Ayodele Banjo.[2] He attended St. Andrews Anglican primary school and Christ Cathedral primary school in what is now Lagos state, Nigeria. He had his secondary education in Igbobi college likewise in the future Lagos State between 1947 and 1952. In 1966, he won the United States Department of State scholarship for an M.A. in linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, US. He further obtained a PhD in 1969 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.[3]

Career

Banjo 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.[4] In 1981, he became the vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan.[5] He was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan in 1984, a position he held till 1991.[6] During this period, he was the chairman committee of vice-chancellor of Nigerian universities.[7] He served as visiting professor for one year at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill as well as visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge, England between 1993 and 1994. He was appointed the pro-chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt between 2000 and 2004.[8] After his tenure he was appointed pro-chancellor of the University of Ilorin for two years (2005–2007). He also served as the incumbent pro-chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University.[9]

Death

Banjo died on 24 May 2024, at the age of 90.[10]

Awards and honours
  • Justice of Peace (JP), Oyo State (1984)
  • Commander of the Order of Niger, CON (2001)[11]
  • Literature honori causa, Port Harcourt (2005)
  • Nigeria National Order of Merit, NNOM (2009)

Membership in professional bodies
  • President, Nigeria Academy of Letters (2000–2004)
  • Fellow Nigeria Academy of Letters (2000–2004)[12]
  • Chairman, Sigma Foundation (2005–2010)
  • Fellow of the Nigeria English Studies Association (2006)

See also

References
  1. "Why Nigeria is increasingly unsafe —Prof. Ayo Banjo". Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  2. "Emeritus Professor Ayo BANJO, JP, CON, NNOM". Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  3. "Ayo Banjo's day of honour". Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  4. "MUSON Festival Comes of Age, Articles — THISDAY LIVE". Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  5. "FORMER VC, PROF. BANJO INSTITUTES AN ANNUAL PRIZE". Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  6. "Ayo Banjo: Academic par excellence". Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  7. "Garlands for Ayo Banjo". The Sun News. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  8. "Nigeria: Soyinka Joins Academy of Letters' Fellows". All Africa. 5 August 2002.
  9. "Prof. Emeritus Ayo Banjo — Pro-Chancellor & Chairman". Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  10. "Former UI VC, Prof Ayo Banjo, dies at 90". The Guardian (Nigeria). 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  11. "Nigerian national awards — Nigerian Muse". Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  12. "NLNG Announces Nigeria Hall of Fame, Honours 28--including Chinua Achebe, for his tremendous achievement in the field of literature, which has brought pride to African traditional cultures". Retrieved 14 October 2014.
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