To preserve the legacies of the late Prof. Olu Odeyemi, his family has endowed a N100 million Professorial Chair at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
 
The Vice Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, disclosed the endowment at the recent 2025 Faculty Lecture of the Faculty of Science of the university in honour of the late Odeyemi themed, ‘Legacies in Microbiology: Honouring Prof. Olu Odeyemi’s Impeccable Contributions to Science, Technology, and Society.’
 
Held at the Conference Hall of the African Centre of Excellence in the university, the event attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, including Distinguished Professor Oladele Ogunseitan of the Department of Production, Health and Disease prevention, University of California, Irvine, U. S., who delivered the lecture, and former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, who chaired the event.
 
In his opening speech, Bamire said the lecture was organised to honour the memory of the late Odeyemi, a retired Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Microbiology, OAU.
 
He noted that with the death of Odeyemi on March 6, 2025, Nigeria nay the global academic community lost a brilliant intellect, a devoted educator, and a researcher of exceptional standing.
 
He added: “Professor Odeyemi was more than a distinguished scientist with both national and international acclaim. He was a passionate teacher, deeply committed to the growth and success of his students. He took a sincere and personal interest in their academic journeys, earning him admiration far beyond the classroom. He was a pillar of academic excellence and a true embodiment of scholarly dedication.”
 
Speaking of Odeyemi’s illustrious career, Bamire said that he joined the University of Ife (now OAU) on January 2, 1977 as Lecturer II shortly after earning his PhD in Microbiology from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
 
He added: “Over the course of his distinguished career, Prof. Odeyemi supervised the research of nearly 500 undergraduate and 32 postgraduate students. His scholarly output included more than 70 publications and technical reports. Many of his mentees have gone on to become leading scholars and professionals, carrying forward the values of discipline, integrity and excellence that he so passionately instilled.

“Prof. Odeyemi’s influence extended well beyond the laboratory and lecture halls. He served with distinction in several administrative roles as Head of the Department of Microbiology, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Dean of Student Affairs. In 1993, he was appointed the pioneer Rector of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke. His leadership there further led to his selection as Chairman of the Committee of Heads of Polytechnics in Nigeria – a testament to his visionary leadership and organisational prowess.”  
 
Bamire listed numerous awards conferred on the late Odeyemi, including the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), in recognition of his exemplary service and character. He averred that the memorial lecture was more than a reflection of his life, stressing that “it is a celebration of a man who gave so much to our university, to the nation and to the advancement of science.”
 
He added: “It is with great pleasure that I announce to this gathering that a N100 million Professorial Endowment Chair in Microbiology was approved by the Senate of the University in the name of Professor Olu Odeyemi. I thank the family of Prof. Odeyemi for bankrolling this endowment. It is our way of preserving his legacy, appreciating his service, and expressing our deepest gratitude for all that he accomplished.” In his remarks, the chairman of the programme, Prof. Afolabi, described the late Odeyemi as a community leader per excellence.
 
“There is no doubting the fact Prof. Olu Odeyemi lived a fulfilled life having served as a teacher, a community leader, a public servant and more importantly a family man. Indeed, he came to this world, and served God and humanity according to his ability,” he said.
 
In his lecture, Prof. Ogunseitan highlighted the late Odeyemi’s accomplishments in research and scholarship, teaching and mentoring, public service and community engagement.
 
On the late Odeyemi’s impact on his students, he said: “Prof. Odeyemi was an exceptionally gifted teacher and mentor. Here in this hall today, we are witnessing the results of his competency, skills, and talent for nurturing and supporting the next generation of scholars. I am personally grateful for his life-long commitment in this regard. Many of my classmates are here with us in spirit. I will not be surprised if several of Prof. Odeyemi’s students are also joining us online. Indeed, we all stand on the shoulders of a giant in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. We remain a tight-knot group because, with the support of mentors such as Prof. Odeyemi, we established a sustainable network based on commitment to excellence and a commitment to life-long learning and culture.”
 
Speaking with The Guardian, one of his sons, Kunle Odeyemi, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greenus Capital Limited, described his late father as a great man.  
 
His words: “My father was a great man; loved by us, his immediate family and people far and near. He has been in public service in different capacities in Nigeria. The most notable was when he was the pioneer Rector of Osun State College of Technology in Esa-Oke. After that he was also appointed the chairman of the Board of the Osun State Water Corporation.  He was also the chairman of the Governing Council of Ibadan Polytechnic. He was also a member of the Advisory Council of International Breweries Plc Foundation. So, he has contributed immensely to the public affairs of Nigeria.
 
“We are going to miss his advice and wisdom. He had five biological sons and all of us are doing well by the grace of God. We took his advice and emulated his ways of doing things. We hope to exceed his attainment and achievements.”