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The University of Ibadan’s distinguished Faculty of Arts has named a prominent historian as its new dean.
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Professor Rasheed Olaniyi, who is presently the Head of the Department of History, was unanimously chosen as the new Dean of Arts through an online voting process conducted on Thursday, May 22.
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One of the initial three faculties (alongside Arts, Science, and Medicine) at the University of Ibadan, which commenced operations in 1948, was indeed the Faculty of Arts.
Ibadan, Oyo state –
Professor Rasheed Olaniyi from the Department of History has been chosen as the new Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ibadan.
Professor Olaniyi will take over from Professor Oyetade, the departing linguist, in July.
Olaniyi is the second faculty member from the field of history to assume the role of Dean of Arts, following the footsteps of the distinguished historian Professor Obaro Ikime, who served in this capacity from 1979 to 1983.
Professor Olaniyi was unanimously elected during an online voting process held on Thursday, May 22.
The Dean-Elect announced
During a congress chaired by the departing Dean, Professor Solomon Oyetade, which took place soon after the election in Room 32 of the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty Officer, Mr Okusaga—who also served as the Returning Officer—announced the outcome of the vote. He declared Professor Rasheed Olaniyi the victor.
Professor Olaniyi, despite being a graduate of Usmanu Dan Fodiwo University, has emerged as an iconic figure in the history of Ibadan and a renowned authority on African history and migration on a global scale.
The departing dean shows great optimism.
During his address to Congress, outgoing Dean Professor Oyetade expressed gratitude to the faculty members for providing “substantial” backing that ensured the election was seamless.
Professor Oyetade commended the qualifications of the newly elected Dean and urged him to elevate the Faculty of Arts to new heights.
“He expressed his anticipation that you will elevate the faculty to new heights. Renowned for its excellence, the institution looks forward to your leadership in realizing its vision and mission towards continued greatness,” he stated.
Dean-Elect speaks
During his acceptance remarks, the newly elected Dean, Professor Rasheed Olaniyi, expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Arts members for selecting him as their leader.
While pledging continued advancement throughout his term, he sought the backing of his peers to guide the Faculty toward success.
His words:
I feel deeply honored by your trust in me and fully comprehend the significance of this role—not merely as an administrative post, but as a summons to serve.
He expressed gratitude towards those who preceded him, vowing to expand upon their achievements.
“I am especially grateful to those who came before me, as their enduring legacy has paved the way for the advancements we benefit from today. Their dedication, perseverance, and foresight inspire me,” stated the scholar.
The newly elected Dean affirmed his commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and enhancing infrastructure.
“As we progress, my priority will be to bolster academic standards, promote cross-disciplinary studies, build international collaborations, and improve the well-being of both employees and learners. I envision a college where all voices are valued—a place where creativity flourishes and our combined knowledge drives national growth and worldwide influence,” affirmed Olaniyi.
The MSSN UI recognizes 400 distinguished students.
In a separate report, the University of Ibadan chapter of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria recognized 370 of its members for achieving first-class honors upon finishing their studies during the 2023/2024 academic year at the institution.
During the ceremony, over 280 students who finished the 2023/2024 academic year with a first-class cumulative grade point average (CGPA) were acknowledged and honored, along with more than 70 additional graduates from the same cohort.
The award was organized partly to counteract the longstanding perception that MSSN focuses too much on Arab issues.
