OAU law class of 1985 marks 40th anniversary, honours former philosophy lecturer

The 1985 Law class of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly the University of Ife, celebrated the 40th anniversary of their graduation over the past weekend, holding a reunion in Lagos that also honoured one of their most influential lecturers, Professor Dipo Fashina.

Leke Alder, brand consultant and member of the class, shared photos and reflections from the event on social media, highlighting the impact of Prof Fashina—popularly known among students as “Jingo”—who taught Philosophy courses during their first and second years.

Prof Fashina taught “Introduction to Philosophy (Phil 101)” and “Logic (Phil 201),” which were compulsory for Law students. Alder described him as accessible, fair, conscientious, and ethical, adding that he made a lasting impression on the class.

“Your grade was your grade,” Alder said, noting that the lecturer even played football with students and maintained a simple, approachable style, sometimes sitting on the bare lecture theatre floor while teaching.

Despite being an atheist, Prof Fashina influenced many students who later became pastors. “Reasoning is a logical route to faith. God is a rational subject. Jingo liberated our thinking, and we arrived at faith,” Alder reflected.

The 78-year-old retired professor attended the anniversary celebration with his wife. Alder said the event was lively, with Prof Fashina dancing and interacting warmly with former students. The class also produced a jingle in his honour.

Alder noted that the significance of celebrating a philosophy professor lay in the critical thinking skills he imparted, including how to argue, understand syllogisms, and recognise logical fallacies such as argumentum ad hominem.

He also reflected on the class’s accomplishments, saying that out of the initial 72 members, many have become Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges, magistrates, government officials, business leaders, and ministers of the gospel. Alder concluded by wishing his classmates a happy 40th anniversary and “forty more years.”