The management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has mourned the death of a former acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oladele Awobuluyi.

Prof. Awobuluyi, a renowned linguist and academic, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Tomola Obamuyi, in a condolence message to the family of the deceased, described him as a visionary and principled scholar whose contributions played a significant role in the development of the young university.

Awobuluyi served as the acting Vice Chancellor of AAUA between June 2009 and January 2010, a period during which the institution was building its academic and administrative foundation.

Prof. Obamuyi said the late don introduced notable innovations and established standards that strengthened the university’s growth and positioned it among recognised institutions.

He stated, “During his tenure as acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Awobuluyi introduced profound innovations and established sound academic and administrative standards that established the new university and put it on a footing of excellence and reckoning among the comity of universities globally and nationally.”

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted Awobuluyi’s contributions to the field of Linguistics, noting that he played a major role in the establishment and development of the Department of Linguistics at AAUA.

He described him as a distinguished scholar whose influence extended beyond the university community.

According to Prof. Obamuyi, “The University Community has lost an astute administrator, a brilliant academic, a father of its Linguistics Department and a pillar of university governance.”

He added that the university would continue to remember the late professor for his visionary leadership, dedication and scholarship, including his contributions even after retirement.

The Vice Chancellor assured the family of the deceased of the university’s support during the period of mourning, while praying for the repose of his soul and the fortitude for the family to bear the loss.