Professor Adebowale Omole, a former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has passed away at the age of 84. His death occurred early Wednesday morning at his residence, just months after marking his 84th birthday on August 13, 2026.
The announcement was made public through an official statement issued by Lateef Bakare, the President of the Ijesa Society, where the late academic served as a senior figure.
Expressing sorrow on behalf of the family and the Biladu Ruling House of Ijesaland, Mr Bakare described the deceased as an impactful scholar, family man, and compatriot who bore the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Who was Wale Omole?
Born into a prominent lineage in Ijesaland, Mr Omole was an accomplished animal scientist, university administrator, editorial board leader, and cultural advocate. He completed his secondary education at Ilesa Grammar School between 1956 and 1962 before briefly working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Ibadan.
His academic journey at the institution then known as the University of Ife saw him rise steadily from an assistant lecturer to a full Professor of Animal Science by 1980. In 1983, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first alumnus of the institution to be appointed Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, serving in that capacity until 1985. Earlier in January 1983, he delivered a notable inaugural lecture exploring methods to convert agricultural waste into valuable nutritional resources for the food chain.
What was his tenure as Vice-Chancellor?
Mr Omole made history once again when he became the first former student of the university to assume the role of Vice-Chancellor, leading OAU from 1991 to 1999. However, his tenure ended controversially when he was removed following student demonstrations sparked by a campus cult attack that tragically claimed the lives of five students.
Beyond his administrative career in academia, he chaired the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper. In later years, he dedicated considerable effort to cultural preservation, founding the Wale Omole Foundation for Virtues and Ethics in Yoruba Culture in Lagos in August 2024. The initiative was designed to promote the Yoruba philosophical ideal of Omọlúàbí, focusing on character development, educational support, teacher training, and community empowerment.
What are the burial plans?
The Ijesa Society announced that funeral arrangements will be communicated by the family at a later date. Messages of condolence have also been conveyed on behalf of the traditional ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, urging the public to keep the grieving family in their thoughts.