OAU mourns as former Vice-Chancellor Wale Omole dies at 84

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has mourned the death of its former vice-chancellor, Professor Wale Omole, describing his passing as a major loss to the institution and the Nigerian academic community.

Omole died on Tuesday evening at the age of 84, according to the university authorities.

In a statement issued by its public relations officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university described the late professor as an accomplished scholar and distinguished administrator whose contributions left a lasting impact on the institution.

Omole served as the university’s vice-chancellor from 1991 to 1999, a period OAU said was significant in its pursuit of academic excellence, institutional development and its position as one of Nigeria’s leading universities.

The institution noted that his death was a painful loss to the Great Ife community and the wider Nigerian university system, adding that his contributions helped shape its identity, traditions and aspirations.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Bamire, expressed condolences on behalf of the governing council, management, senate, staff, students, alumni and the entire university community. He also extended the university’s sympathies to the deceased’s family, friends and associates.

Bamire said Omole’s contributions to OAU and the broader academic community would remain part of the institution’s history, while praying for the repose of his soul and strength for his family to bear the loss.

Beyond his tenure as OAU vice-chancellor, Omole also served as chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian newspapers and was widely recognised for his contributions to scholarship and university administration. The university said his legacy would remain indelible in its history.