I received the shock of my life on Tuesday morning, on my way to work, when I was told that my mentor, my adopted father, was gone. Fear gripped me. I immediately alighted from the vehicle and headed to Ibadan, just to confirm with my own eyes. My mind wandered endlessly through the mystery of life and death. It still feels unreal.
Only a day earlier, on Monday, December 1, 2025, he spoke to me through his personal nurse’s phone. He said he wanted to have a private and personal discussion with me. I asked if I should come immediately, but he gently replied, “No, I will get back to you.” I never imagined those would be his last words to me. The pain of not knowing what he wanted to share will remain with me for a very long time.
Professor Siyan Oyeweso was an energetic scholar, a prolific writer and a versatile historian whose contributions to knowledge in the broad field of Nigerian history remain enduring and invaluable. He was born on February 1, 1961 into the royal family of Adepele Ruling House of Ojo, Osun State.
From an early age, Siyan Oyeweso showed remarkable promise for academic excellence. From his primary school years through secondary education, he distinguished himself repeatedly, winning several prizes for outstanding performance. Notably, he emerged as Prize Winner at the Oyo State Secondary Schools Quiz Competition in 1974 and the Oyo State Secondary Schools Essay Competition in 1976.
He proceeded to study History at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) on scholarship, graduating in 1982 with a Second Class (Upper Division). He also won the prize for the Best Final Year Student in the Department of History. He later returned to the same university to obtain his M.A. and Ph.D degrees.
Professor Oyeweso began his academic career in November 1985 as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of History at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. In 2007, he moved to the newly established Osun State University, Osogbo, where he served as the pioneer Provost of the College of Humanities and Culture.
Throughout his academic career, Professor Oyeweso was a shining star, recording many historic firsts. Remarkably, he became the first alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University to serve as Pro-Chancellor of the institution.
I often wondered how Baba successfully balanced a rich social life with the rigours of academia, so cerebral, yet so humane.
In his later years, Professor Oyeweso devoted himself to the documentation of oral histories of indigenous communities across Nigeria. He was deeply engaged in public history, using both conventional and digital platforms to enlighten the public about Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. He served as the Anchor of the Yoruba Heritage Series—covering Osogbo, Ede, Ile-Ife, Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ikorodu, and Epe—aired on DStv Channel 157.
Professor Oyeweso left behind a legacy imbued with honour, love, sincerity, and selfless service to his fatherland. To service, he gave his life; to others, fatherly guidance and devotion; to his family, gentle understanding, strength, and hope.
I will deeply and dearly miss you, your words, your kindness, your strength and your fatherly love. May Almighty God forgive your shortcomings, grant you eternal rest and admit you into Al-Jannatul Firdaus. Āmīn.
May Almighty God comfort and strengthen your wife and the triplets you leave behind.
Omotosho Oluwadamilare Adekola writes from Ede, Osun State.
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