…recalls that the deceased, Ayo Bamgbose received his last award on earth from Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo
The Vice-Chancellor, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan has received with deep sorrow, the news of the demise of a revered alumnus, Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose who gave up the ghost in the early hours of today, Saturday, 25 July 2026.
In a release made available by the University’s Media and Public Relations Officer, ‘Wale Adeoye, the Vice-Chancellor described the demise of Emeritus Professor Ayọ̀rìndé Bámgbóṣé “as a huge loss to Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo where he was a student between 1948 and 1951 when it was St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, where he obtained Grade II Teachers Certificate. As one of our worthy Alumni and someone who contributed to the development of Yoruba studies, he was one of our awardees at the inauguration of Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education which was the last award received on earth by the doyen of language. He was a pride to us and on behalf of the Council, Senate, Staff and Students, I express my condolences to his immediate families and particularly, the EAUED Alumni family. May God grant him eternal rest”, stated the Eruwa-born administrator.
The late Emeritus Professor Ayọ̀ Bámgbóṣé (born January 27, 1932) was an academic linguist, the first professor of Linguistics in Nigeria. He made contributions to education and linguistics, achieving recognition in form of honours and election to offices in professional bodies. After primary education, Bamgbose was admitted, in 1948, into St. Andrew’s College (now Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo) where he qualified as a grade two teacher in 1951. He then gained admission into University of Ibadan, affiliated with the University of London. He graduated with a high second class upper division B.A. (Hons) English degree of the University of London in the year 1960. He proceeded to the University of Edinburgh where he earned a diploma in general linguistics in 1961 and his PhD in 1963 with the thesis A Study of Structures and Classes in the Grammar of Modern Yoruba.
He joined the staff of the University of Ibadan in 1963 as a Lecturer, rising quickly to the grade of Senior Lecturer in 1966 and to Professor in 1968. On retirement from the University, he was honoured with the title of Professor Emeritus.
