A former Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Banjo, is dead.

Banjo, who recently marked his 90th birthday, passed on yesterday.

He was the sixth VC of the premier university, serving from 1984 to 1991.

Renowned for his significant contributions to the development of the English Curriculum in Nigeria and his advocacy for Nigerian varieties of English, Banjo was a former chairman of the board of National Universities Commission (NUC).

Additionally, he held positions as Pro-Chancellor at the Universities of Port Harcourt, Ilorin and Ajayi Crowther.

Meanwhile, a former VC of the university, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, has mourned the passage of his former boss.

In a statement made available to The Guardian in Ibadan, Olayinka, who is the 12th VC of the university, said: “Adieu Professor Ayo Banjo, 1934 to 2024.

“I have just learned of the transition of Professor Emeritus Ladipo Ayo Banjo, the longest serving Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (1984 to 1991).

“This is very sad news even at a ripe old age of 90 years. The end of a most glorious era. Rest in perfect peace, Baba. You will be sorely missed by all of us who knew you.

“Heartfelt condolences to his entire family and to all of us his mentees and academic children. We valued your wise counsel at all times.

“You were highly approachable. An icon. An eminent citizen of the world. The gift of UI to humanity.

“It hurts very deeply to start referring to you in the past tense. Nonetheless, we thank God for your life of selfless service and worthwhile legacies. Good night, sir.”

Also paying tribute to the deceased, the Chairman of the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) Governing Council, Dr. Olutoyin Okeowo and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, the entire management team and staff of the institution, described him as a visionary leader whose legacy in ACU would forever be remembered.

He said: “Today, we honour and remember our pioneer Pro-Chancellor, Emeritus Prof. Ayo 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. Ayo Banjo championed the creation of state-of-the-art facilities, the development of cutting-edge research programmes and the expansion of our outreach,” Okeowo said.

The Vice-Chancellor of ACU, Adebayo, also stated that beyond the late Banjo’s professional achievements, he was also known for his compassion, wisdom and generosity.

He said: “He was a mentor to many, always willing to lend an ear and offer sage advice. His humility and kindness endeared him to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

“As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.”