In a milestone moment for cultural scholarship and linguistic preservation, the Yoruba Academy has formally inaugurated Professor Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju as its new Director General (DG). The appointment was announced on August 2, 2025, following a pivotal meeting of the Academy’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and its Governing Board held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
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From Scholar to Steward: A Visionary Leadership
Professor Yagboyaju’s elevation marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Yoruba Academy’s mission to safeguard and celebrate Yoruba civilisation, language, arts, and economic advancement. A seasoned academic and governance influencer, Yagboyaju steps into the DG role with a reputation for excellence in public policy, institutional reform, and culture‑based scholarship.
At the unveiling ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Lai Olurode—alongside notable board members including Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Anifowose, Prince Oyewole Oyetunji, and Dr. Moreni Tafita commended the choice, emphasising Yagboyaju’s capacity to drive the Academy’s multidisciplinary agenda forward.
A Personal Commitment to the Academy’s Ethos
In his acceptance address, Professor Yagboyaju pledged to uphold the Yoruba Academy’s founding ideals. He spoke warmly about enriching the academy’s intellectual foundations, while strengthening its reach across civil society, government, and the global Yoruba diaspora. As DG, he underlined plans to reinforce research, deepen cultural exchanges, and expand the Academy’s influence in science, technology, language standardisation, and development discourse.
Who Is Professor Yagboyaju?
A professor of Political Science at the University of Ibadan, Yagboyaju brings decades of experience in governance, policy analysis, and academic research to the forefront. He earned his PhD in Political Science in 2004 from the University of Ibadan, after completing a Master’s at the University of Lagos in 1990. With over 20 years of teaching at premier Nigerian institutions—including UNILAG, OAU, and UI—he has shaped countless careers while contributing richly to public discourse.
Research interests such as development administration, democratic governance, public ethics, and security studies have earned him recognition by bodies like the UNDP, INEC, NISER, and the Nigerian National Defence College.
What This Means for Yoruba Culture and Scholarship
Founded in 2007 in Ibadan, the Yoruba Academy was born out of a collective vision among scholars and professionals dedicated to preserving and promoting Yoruba heritage—across language, arts, governance, and global networking. The Academy has modelled itself on institutions like France’s Académie Française and Germany’s Goethe‑Institut while maintaining independence from government influence.
Throughout its history, it has championed collaborative research, cultural programming, policy advisories, and the creation of standardised lexicons for the Yoruba language and identity. Past leaders such as Professors Wálé Adébánwí, Ìyábọ̀ Basir, Adé Adéagbo, and more recently Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún, have helped shape its trajectory from cultural advocacy to policy relevance
Professor Yagboyaju now inherits a legacy upon which to build—one that aligns scholarship and governance with grassroots participation and pan‑Yoruba connectivity. His experience in policy implementation and educational transformation positions him well to lead the Academy into a new era.
Early Priorities and Strategic Roadmap
While still early in his tenure, Professor Yagboyaju has already expressed his intention to accelerate several key areas:
- Strengthen language standardisation: Building Yoruba dictionaries and educational materials through interdisciplinary scholarship.
- Expand outreach globally: Enhancing exchange programmes between Yoruba communities at home and in the diaspora.
- Deepen research impact: Commissioning studies on governance, culture, and economic development relevant to Yoruba societies.
- Champion technology and innovation: Investing in digital platforms that preserve, propagate and modernise Yoruba language and arts.
These priorities echo the Academy’s broader mandate to forge synergies between the public and private sectors, fuel societal development, and foster respect for Yoruba identity in Nigeria and beyond.
A Leader Rooted in Civic and Ethical Engagement
Beyond academia, Professor Yagboyaju is well‑regarded for his civic-minded leadership. In 2024, Osun State’s Governor Ademola Adeleke felicitated him on his 60th birthday, saluting a life dedicated to mentorship, ethical scholarship, and national development.
His influence extends to shaping young minds, steering educational institutions like Muslim Model College Ibadan for over a decade, and receiving traditional titles such as Asiwaju Are-Ago of Erin Osun and Taiyese of Iyamoye for community service and intellectual contributions.
Significance of the Appointment
The selection of Professor Yagboyaju is more than a leadership change—it signals a renewed commitment to blending scholarly rigour with cultural patriotism, committed governance, and global awareness. As the Yoruba Academy navigates contemporary challenges—from language attrition to cultural diplomacy—his stewardship promises alignment with both tradition and innovation.
Under his guidance, stakeholders expect strengthened collaboration across academia, policy circles, arts communities, and diaspora networks. By advancing these partnerships, the Academy can help reinforce Yoruba identity in Nigeria’s evolving multilingual, multicultural landscape.
Looking Ahead
In the coming weeks, Yoruba Academy plans to roll out initiatives under Yagboyaju’s leadership, including policy forums, research grants, language workshops, and international cultural exchanges. These programmes aim to broaden engagement with Yoruba communities globally while reinforcing the Academy’s role as a bridge between scholarship and real‑world societal strengthening.
As Professor Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju begins his tenure, stakeholders—from scholars to cultural advocates, donors to diaspora groups—are watching attentively. Many expect his leadership will reinforce the Academy’s credibility, energise its mission, and foster a sustainable model for Yoruba cultural renaissance.
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