OAU pro-chancellor Abdulgafar Oyeweso dies at 64

Abdulgafar Oyeweso, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, has passed away after a brief illness. 

Oyeweso, a renowned scholar of history and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), died on Tuesday at the age of 64. 

Olawale Oyeweso, his brother, in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed his passing.

He said the pro-chancellor will be buried today in his home town of Ede, Osun state at 4:00 pm.

In a post on X, Olalekan Badmus, the special assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on digital media, described the death of the historian as shocking and painful loss to both the academic and political communities in Osun state.

“Rest in power, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso. An illustrious son of Ede, Osun State, and Nigeria,” he said. 

“What a sad loss.”

Oyeweso was born into a Muslim family on February 1, 1961, at Ita Idi-Omo, Oja’ba, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo state. 

He hailed from Ile Olojo, Ede Mapo Arogun, Ede, Osun state.

The scholar completed his secondary school education in 1978 and graduated in division one (distinction). 

He studied history at the University of Ife between 1978 and 1982, now Obafemi Awolowo University, and graduated with a second class upper division.

Oyeweso later obtained his M.A. degree and PhD in Intellectual History from the same University. 

Oyeweso joined the services of the Lagos State University as an assistant lecturer in October 1985 and rose to the rank of professor in 2004.

Until his death, Oyeweso was the pro-chancellor of OAU and the executive director of Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Abere, Osun state. 

He is survived by his wife, children, and family members.