The academic community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the passing of Professor Siyan Oyeweso, one of the nation’s most distinguished historians and cultural scholars. His death was announced earlier today after a brief illness.
Professor Oyeweso, who until his passing served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, was widely celebrated for his outstanding contributions to historical scholarship, cultural preservation, and the development of higher education in Nigeria.
Born on February 1, 1961, Oyeweso’s brilliance was evident from his earliest years. A multiple award-winning pupil and later a top-performing secondary school student, he studied History at the then University of Ife between 1978 and 1982, graduating with a Second Class Upper Division under the Timi Oyewusi Agbonran II Scholarship. His academic journey saw him complete postgraduate studies at OAU, earning recognition for excellence through the institution’s Postgraduate Scholar Award.
He began his academic career at Lagos State University (LASU), where he rose steadily through the ranks, becoming a Professor of History in 2004. Over the decades, he served in several administrative roles—including Head of Department, Dean, Director of the Centre for General Studies, and member of multiple Governing Councils.
In 2007, he joined Osun State University (UNIOSUN) as the pioneer Provost of the College of Humanities and Culture, later serving as Acting Provost of the Postgraduate College. His career spanned governance, university development, international collaborations, and cultural diplomacy.
A prolific writer since 1986, Professor Oyeweso authored and co-authored dozens of books and over 200 scholarly publications covering Nigerian history, Yoruba studies, higher education, religion, and the Nigerian Civil War. A Fellow and Life Member of the Historical Society of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, he mentored generations of scholars, many of whom now occupy leadership roles across academia and public service.
Beyond academia, he contributed enormously to cultural promotion as a former Executive Director of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, where he helped establish museums, archives, and international partnerships.
Until his death, he was serving as the Provost of the UNIOSUN Postgraduate College and the Pro-Chancellor of OAU, Ile-Ife.
Nigeria has indeed lost a towering intellectual, a dedicated public historian, and a cultural ambassador whose impact resonates far beyond the classroom.
May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest.