An Educationist, Professor of English Studies, Administrator  & Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo is a colossus and trail-blazer in the field of Applied English Linguistics and Socio-Linguistics, and a scholar of uncommon modesty.  He is an innovative and multi-disciplinary scholar with a passionate belief in the unity of knowledge.

Born May 2, 1934, he was educated at Igbobi College, Lagos; University of Glasgow, Scotland; University of Leeds, England; University of California, Los Angeles; USA; and University of Ibadan. Among other post-graduate qualifications, he holds the M.A in English, M.A. in Linguistics, Post-Graduate Diploma in Education, Post-Graduate Diploma in English Studies – with Distinction, and Ph.D. in English Language.

Professor Ayo Banjo’s working career has taken him through the roles of Lecturer, Reader, Professor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and from 1984 to 1991, the Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier university – The University of Ibadan. During this period, his stellar performance as an administrator was exemplary. He also served as Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, 1989 to 1990.

Over the years, Professor Ayo Banjo has also served society in many critical ad-hoc capacities. These include: Pro-Chancellor at the Universities of Port Harcourt, Ilorin, and Ajayi Crowther, Oyo State. He was Chairman, Governing Council, Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry; Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities; and Chancellor, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.

He was also Visiting Professor, University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados & Agder College, Kristiansand, Norway as well as Visiting Fellow, Research Centre for English and Applied Linguistics, University of Cambridge, England.

A Justice of the Peace, Commander of the Order of the Niger [CON] & Member of the Nigerian National Order of Merit [NNOM], Professor Ayo Banjo has over 65 publications to his credit. This accomplished teacher and administrator has also been honoured with the Fellowship of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Fellowship of the Nigeria English Studies Association, Honorary Doctorate of Literature of both Universities of Port Harcourt and Ibadan.

He is widowed with four children.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we are proud to invite Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, CON, NNOM, the Professor of Professors to receive the ‘The Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Education’.

Accept our congratulations!