Jacob Festus Ade-Ajayi (1929-2014)

The world lost a foremost historian and academic of international repute with the death of Professor Jacob Festus Adeniyi Ajayi on August 9, 2014. His eminence in scholastic attainments, particularly in the sphere of African history, was globally acknowledged. The life of this notable scholar, administrator and author was characterised by profound intellectualism and humility that endeared him to all those who crossed his path—mostly in the university community where he remains a colossus on account of his outstanding contributions to knowledge.
A former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the renowned and highly respected scholar, died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, of age-related health challenges.
Fondly regarded worldwide as the fountain of African historical knowledge, this distinguished mind from the celebrated Ibadan School of History established the frontiers and validity of African history as an academic discipline.
Born on May 26, 1929, J. F. Ade-Ajayi, as he was commonly known, unequivocally demonstrated that Africa and Africans had their own history different from the jaundiced perspectives of his European counterparts who believed erroneously that the continent and its people had no history, and evolved from nowhere! The departed academic and some of his Ibadan and other African contemporaries diligently and subtly erased this impression and stamped their own authority on the authenticity and relevance of African history, leaving an indelible mark on world history.
But for the intervention of this historical giant and some of his colleagues, Africa probably would have been without an official record. For this and other sterling contributions, Ade-Ajayi will remain in the public consciousness, long after his mortal exit.
A critical historian who advocated a myriad of controversial views, including cultural linkages in history, Ade-Ajayi insisted that the scope of history should not be circumscribed by major events only, but should encompass other aspects of life and living that underscore human existentialism in its totality.
Ade-Ajayi was born in Ikole-Ekiti 85 years ago. He began his education at St Paul’s School, Ikole, at the age of five. He then proceeded to Ekiti Central School for preparation as a pupil teacher. However, he later moved to Igbobi College, Lagos, with the help of a scholarship from the Ikole-Ekiti Native Authority. After his secondary education, he was admitted into the University of Ibadan, where he had to pick between History, Latin or English for his degree. He chose History. In 1952, he travelled abroad and studied at Leicester University, Oxford.  After graduation, he was a research fellow at the Institute of Historical Research, London, from 1957-1958. He later returned to Nigeria and joined the history department of the University of Ibadan.
In 1964, he was made Dean of Arts at UNILAG and later promoted a deputy vice-chancellor. He became the vice-chancellor of the institution in 1972, but left the office in controversial circumstances around the period of the “Ali Must Go” students’ riots that followed the introduction of some university fees by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime.
A notable author, his writings include Yoruba Warfare in the Nineteenth Century. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England 1964; Christian Missions in Nigeria, 1841-1891: The Making of a New Elite. He was Editor, General History of Africa, vol. VI, UNESCO, 1989; Co-Editor, A Thousand Years of West African History; Co-Editor with Michael Crowther, History of West Africa, Longman, London 1971.
Ade-Ajayi had a deep knowledge of historiography, which is the philosophy of history. He supervised so many doctorate degree students and left indelible marks in academia. He was principled, self-abnegating and strongly committed to his work as an educationist.
We commend Ade-Ajayi’s exemplary life of service to academia to the present generation of university lecturers. Sadly, his kind of devotion to academic work is rare to come by in the country today. The government and the university community should do something remarkable to immortalise him.
We commiserate with the family of this departed Emeritus Professor of History, and the intellectual community in Nigeria, on his demise. May God grant him a sweet repose.