Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University (also known as OAU) is a public university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. It was founded in 1961 by the regional government of Western Nigeria. Classes began in October 1962. The university was first called the University of Ife. It was renamed in 1987 to honour Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria. History In 1961, the Western Regional Assembly voted to create a new university. The land for the campus, about 13,000 acres, was donated by the people of Ile-Ife.The university first opened on 22 September 1962 with 244 students at a temporary location in Ibadan. The university moved to its permanent campus in Ile-Ife in January 1967.In 1975, the university became a federal university under the control of the Nigerian federal government.On 10 July 1999, several students were killed on campus in what became known as the Obafemi Awolowo University massacre. Faculties The university has 13 faculties and two colleges. These cover subjects including arts, law, science, engineering, medicine, social sciences and education. Library The university's main library is called the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library. It is named after the university's second Vice-Chancellor. The library has seating for 2,500 people and holds over 300,000 titles. Vice-chancellors The following people have served as Vice-Chancellor: Oladele Ajose (1962–1966) Hezekiah Adedunmola Oluwasanmi (1966–1975) Ojetunji Aboyade (1975–1978) Cyril Agodi Onwumechili (1979–1982) Wande Abimbola (1982–1989) C. Adeniyi Osuntogun (1990–1991) Wale Omole (1991–1999) Roger Makanjuola (1999–2006) Micheal Oladimeji Faborode (2006–2011) Idowu Bamitale Omole (2011–2016) Anthony Elujoba (acting, 2016–2017) Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede (2017–2022) Adebayo Simeon Bamire (2022–present) Notable alumni Government and politics Akinwumi Adesina – President of the African Development Bank Kayode Fayemi – former Governor of Ekiti State Femi Falana – human rights lawyer Lai Mohammed – former Nigerian Minister of Information Remi Tinubu – First Lady of Nigeria Business Ibukun Awosika – chairman of First Bank Nigeria Femi Otedola – businessman Oscar N. Onyema – former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Arts and media Wole Soyinka – Nobel Prize winner in literature, former professor at the university Asake – musician Fireboy DML – singer and songwriter Biyi Bandele – novelist and playwright Religion Enoch Adeboye – General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God References Other websites Official website