By AYODEJI ODEYELE

There are people whose influence becomes part of our foundation and whose absence feels like a piece of that foundation has shifted. Professor Abdul Gafar Siyan Oyeweso was one of those rare figures. He was a scholar of remarkable depth, a cultural custodian, a mentor to many, and to me personally, a father figure who changed the direction of my life in ways I am still discovering.

A Personal Loss That Stays Close to the Heart

On September 2, 2025, I woke up to a missed call from him. Because of the time difference, my phone had been off. I returned the call as soon as I could, and we spoke for 5 minutes and 2 seconds. I did not know it would be our last real conversation. He had been ill for some time, and although I sensed a heaviness that morning, I held on to hope. I told him to stay strong. I did not imagine I would be writing this farewell so soon.

We continued chatting after that call. He would still send his familiar check ins. Báwo ni A.Y., my dear brother? Simple words, yet full of warmth and intention. That was who he was. Present. Caring. Steady.

A Mentor Who Became Family

Our relationship began at Osun State University, Ikire campus, where he served as Provost. What started as the usual distance between administrator and student slowly became something deeper. He invited me to his home in Ede, shared his books with me, asked me to read aloud, and pushed my thinking. He wanted me to grow both academically and intellectually.

He supervised my final year project, and during those months we were often together. Many times when I visited, I drove him from Ede to the UNIOSUN Osogbo campus. Those drives became my classroom, and his conversations became my guide.

He chaired my wedding. He checked on me weekly during my NYSC year in Abuja. And although we came from different religious backgrounds, he respected my faith completely. On Sundays when I visited, he reminded me of nearby churches I could attend. That level of thoughtfulness is something I will never forget.

Even after I left Nigeria more than ten years ago, he continued to reach out. His calls and messages always carried the same mix of encouragement, reflection, and brotherly affection.

A Scholar of Rare Magnitude

To understand Professor Oyeweso is to understand what it means to dedicate a lifetime to history, culture, learning, and nation building. Historians often work quietly, but their work anchors entire societies. He belonged to that rare group whose scholarship shaped both academic life and national understanding.

His work covered higher education, cultural history, civil war studies, Yoruba religion and society, Islam in Yorubaland, and the broader study of conflict and governance. He authored and co authored books, contributed chapters to major publications, and produced more than two hundred scholarly articles. His writings remain essential to anyone who wants to understand Yoruba history, Nigerian identity, or the forces that shaped our past.

He did not only study history. He lived it, preserved it, and passed it on.

A Leader With a Clear Voice

Professor Oyeweso held several significant roles throughout his career. Each position reflected the trust that academia and the nation placed in him.

• Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Obafemi Awolowo University

• Executive Director, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization

• Acting Provost, Postgraduate College, Osun State University

• Member, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ede

• Former ADC Candidate for Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency

He carried every responsibility with grace, discipline, and deep commitment.

A Passing That Shook Many

On December 2, 2025, when messages began to circulate about his passing, I refused to believe them. I searched immediately, hoping it was a mistake. It was not.

He passed away at the age of 64 after a brief illness. A brilliant mind is gone. A mentor is gone. A custodian of history and culture is gone. Yet his work and the lives he shaped remain with us.

A Farewell That Still Feels Unfinished

How do you say goodbye to someone who shaped your thinking and walked beside you through so many turning points?

Good night, Prof.

Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you for your guidance, your kindness, and your steady presence.

Thank you for every conversation and every lesson.

You lived well.

You served well.

Your legacy continues in the countless people you poured into.

To Everyone Who Knew Him

If Professor Oyeweso played a role in your life as a teacher, scholar, mentor, colleague, leader, or friend, please share your memories and tributes. Let us honor him together and tell the story of a man who helped shape so many stories.

Professor Abdul Gafar Siyan Oyeweso (February 1, 1961 to December 2, 2025)

A true Omoluabi.

A scholar of depth.

A mentor with a generous heart.

A light that will continue to shine.

Adieu, Prof.

Your student,

Ayodeji Odeyele

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