Raji-Oyelade, prof of English, joins race for UI VC

Remi Raji-Oyelade, professor of English and former dean of the faculty of arts, University of Ibadan, has signified interest in the vice chancellorship position of the institution.

He made this known in a message addressed to the members of the University of Ibadan community on July 7, 2020.

Idowu Olayinka, the 12th vice chancellor of the institution, is expected to complete his five-year tenure on December 1, 2020.

In his message, Raji-Oyelade appreciated the university community for their goodwill and called for their prayers and support.

“Honourable colleagues, this is to inform you that at exactly 15:10hrs of today, 07/07/2020, I submitted my application document for the post of the Vice Chancellor of our University,” the message read.

“I use this medium to appreciate you for your support, prayers and advice. In your inspiration is our strength; in your strength is our resolve to give the best to the University. I have always enjoyed your great goodwill, I have served our prestigious University in different positions of responsibility. Here, therefore, is to seek your strategic support and prayers as I opt to serve the University as the VC.

“Here is to thank all those who have engaged me in re-thinking set goals and strategies of achieving them for UI. In time ahead, your resolve, drive and collaboration will be of essence. God has indeed been faithful. May His blessings be upon you all.”

The literary scholar and award-winning poet had teaching stints at the Rivers State College of Education, Rumuolumeni; St. Andrew’s College of Education, Oyo; Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye; and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, before joining his alma mater as a lecturer II in 1995.

He was promoted to full professorship in the department of English in 2007.

Raji-Oyelade has served in various academic and administrative positions which include: sub-dean (general) faculty of arts, 1997-1999; sub-dean (postgraduate), faculty of arts, 2002 – 2003; acting head of department (English), 2009 – 2012; dean of faculty of arts, October 2012 – July 2015; resource person for the University of Ibadan research foundation (2013 till date), and grants writer for the University MacArthur foundation (2016 till date).

Among other administrative responsibilities, Raji-Oyelade has been the chairman, faculty of arts information technology committee; chairman, business committee of senate; and member, senate truth committee.

He has had over 20 international scholarship awards including the visiting scholar fellowship at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, USA (2001); City of Stockholm writing award (2005); University of Cambridge African scholar (October 2005 – March 2006); the Georg Forster fellow at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany (2006 – 2007), among others.

For his academic brilliance, resourcefulness, and innovative networking abilities, Raji-Oyelade was honoured along with four other international scholars with the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation alumni award for the year 2017.

He remains till date the only Humboldtian professor at Ibadan to be so honoured since the prize was instituted in 2009 for scholars in more than 140 countries across the world.

Raji-Oyelade was recently installed by the olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, as the mogaji of Adegboro compound, Ibadan.

He was elected as a member of the university’s governing council in July 2019.