The Epe Kayokayo Festival Committee has congratulated Professor Onibon Nosirudeen Olajide on his appointment as Rector of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, describing the appointment as a source of pride for the Epe community and a fitting recognition of his academic and administrative credentials.
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- “Thus, it is worthy of note that this meritorious appointment does not only portray a sense of recognition and pride for the Epe community but also a round peg in a round hole for the academic circle as it has reflected the unfettered trust of the President in Professor Onibon’s wealth of knowledge, academic prowess, and his remarkable and sterling leadership qualities demonstrating an apt positioning of a rare scholar and academic in a scholarly environment where his generous professional expertise and leadership experience will be profoundly utilized for the interest and advancements of the Polytechnic.” The committee expressed optimism that the appointment would usher in a new era of innovation at the polytechnic, and prayed for divine guidance over his tenure.
- Professor Onibon’s background
EKO HOT BLOG reports that, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Barrister Bayo Soliu Okulu, the festival body said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Professor Onibon reflected confidence in his “wealth of knowledge, academic prowess, and sterling leadership qualities.”
“Professor Onibon uniquely isolated himself in his selfless professional service and administration as was lucidly demonstrated when he served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Provost of the former Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED),” Okulu said.
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“Thus, it is worthy of note that this meritorious appointment does not only portray a sense of recognition and pride for the Epe community but also a round peg in a round hole for the academic circle as it has reflected the unfettered trust of the President in Professor Onibon’s wealth of knowledge, academic prowess, and his remarkable and sterling leadership qualities demonstrating an apt positioning of a rare scholar and academic in a scholarly environment where his generous professional expertise and leadership experience will be profoundly utilized for the interest and advancements of the Polytechnic.”
The committee expressed optimism that the appointment would usher in a new era of innovation at the polytechnic, and prayed for divine guidance over his tenure.
Professor Onibon’s background
Born on October 13, 1967 in the Onibon family of Ashipa Compound, Bado-Isale, Epe, Lagos State, Professor Onibon traces roots on his paternal side to the Royal Edu family and on his maternal side to the Ogegbo family of Ibowon, both in Epe.
He began his formal education at Ansar-Udeen Primary School, Epe, in 1974, before proceeding to Alaro Community High School, Iraye-Oke, Epe. He enrolled at Lagos State University (LASU) in 1988, earning a B.A. (Hons) in Arabic Language and Literature. He subsequently obtained an M.Sc. in International Relations from the University of Ibadan in 1997, followed by a second master’s degree in Arabic Language and Literature from LASU in 1999.
A Lagos State Scholarship for Foreign Study in 2006 and 2007 enabled him to complete a doctorate in Arabic Language Studies at the International Islamic University, Malaysia. He later added a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from LASU in 2012.
His international academic exposure includes a summer training programme in African Language Pedagogy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012 and a leadership course in Advanced Curriculum Design at Indiana University, Bloomington, in 2015.
Professor Onibon is currently a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Foreign Languages at Lagos State University, Ojo, where he heads the Arabic Unit. Under his leadership, the unit secured full accreditation for its Arabic Language programme, Senate approval for combined honours in Arabic/Islamic Studies and Arabic/International Studies, and partial scholarships for students in the department. He has served the university in several capacities, including as Academic Secretary, Acting Head of Department, and member of the University Senate.
Before LASU, he served at the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), rising from Administrative Officer to positions of increasing responsibility. He later served as Provost of MOCPED and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) — roles that, alongside his academic record, formed the basis of his trajectory to the rectorship.
Professor Onibon holds membership in numerous professional bodies, including the Nigerian Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies, the Nigerian Association of Translators and Interpreters, the African Language Teachers Association (USA), and the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (USA). He is a Fellow of the American National African Language Resource Centre.
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His civic footprint in Epe is equally substantial. He is the pioneer chairman of the Alaro-Iraye Community Development Association, Secretary of the Epe Kingdom Chieftaincy Dispute Committee, and was instrumental in the renovation of his alma mater, Alaro Community High School. He is also a member of the Epe Club and Epe Ogunmodede Club.
In student politics, he served as President of the Epe Students’ Union at LASU, President of the Africa Students’ Society in Malaysia, and held national offices in the Muslim Corps Members organisation during his NYSC year in Katsina State.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, gains in Professor Onibon a rector whose career spans linguistics scholarship, institutional administration, and community leadership spanning more than three decades.
