Prof. Jamiu Mosobalaje Olaloye Oyawoye was born on 12 August 1927, at Offa to Prince Momodu Oyawoye. He entered Offa Grammar School in 1942, transferred to Ibadan Grammar School in 1947 and, completed his secondary education 1949.
In 1952 he entered Washington State University USA Geology, graduating with Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Geology in 1955. In 1956 he started a postgraduate programme at the University of Durham in United Kingdom and was awarded Doctor Philosophy degree of that University in 1959.
He returned to Nigeria in 1960 and was employed at the University of Ibadan as a Geology Lecturer in the Department of Geography. Within two years he was able to persuade the University to establish a all-fledged department of Geology, pointing out the emerging petroleum industry and the manpower challenges that would sooner than later emerge. He was proved right. His academic career was meteoric; he reached the top within six years, to become the first African Professor of Geology in 1966. Two years later he was appointed Head of Geology Department.
He paid much attention to the Petroleum Industry, maintaining very close and cordial relation with the industry. He paid great deal of attention to the placement of his students in the petroleum industry, seeking and facilitating employment for them. Under his leadership a Petroleum engineering Diploma course was introduced in 1968. He has served and continues to serve Nigeria at the national international levels:
He Was well- known internationally, bringing Nigeria recognition, respect and admiration through his activities. As chairman of OAU Team of Expert on Inter-African Centre for Earth Sciences, he promoted the awareness among African Countries of the economic importance of a strong Geological Survey staffed with indigenous geologists, particularly in those Mining dependent Eastern and Southern African Countries. His most important contribution in this regard was the establishment of the Zambian School of Mines in the University of Zambia which he initiated and pursued personally with the President Kenneth. He guided the newly established School of Mines to reality in 19 76. As a honor and appreciation, was appointed roving visiting professor at the University of Zambia, with freedom to go and come as he pleases, for 3 years.
Prof. Oyawoye organized and established the Geological Society of Africa. In recognition of this, he was elected the founding President and the first Fellow of the Society. He was the first African Member of the Board of International Geological Correlation Programme elected Vice-President of this prestigious body. He was a positive inspiration at several years he served as External Examiner in Geology as several Universities including University of Ghana, University of Kenya and University of Sudan.
At home he served Nigeria with dedication. A reference to the University of Ibadan annual Calendars between 1968 and 1975 will show him as one of the most active members of the University. He was Congregation representative in Senate1964-1966; Professorial member of Senate 1966-1977: Elected Member of Ibadan University Council 1969-1975: He served on several Committees of the University Senate and Council. among them; Housing allocating Committee 1966-1969: Building, works and Site Committee 1967-1973: Appointment Committee for Administrative Officers and Technicians 1971-1975; Security Committee of Council (chairman) 1970-1975.
He resigned his appointment at University of Ibadan suddenly in 1977 protesting the Military Government encroachment on University autonomy and authority of Senate.
In spite of his short career at Ibadan, Professor Oyawoye left behind three major achievements which stand out as monuments to his leadership, initiative and dedication. First, the Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, was transformed within few years from being the smallest in the Faculty of Science to one of the most important departments at the University. the. magnificent Geology building Ibadan. financed from grant raised from the Petroleum Industry by Professor Oyawoye is a tribute to him. His students today dominate executive positions in the Mining and the Petroleum Industry. Among them, the present and several Group Managing Directors of NNPC, several present and previous Managing Directors of NNPC Subsidiary Companies and several of the Professors of Geology in Nigerian Universities today. No wonder he is often fondly referred to by students as the father of Geology" in Nigeria.
The second monument left by professor Oyawoye was the Ibadan University Institute of Applied Science and Technology which he initiated. Professor Oyawoye, was solely responsible for the preparation of the project document submitted to the Canadian Government International Aid Agency and for all follow up activities leading to the establishment of the Institute. He became its first Co-Director.
Another major achievement of Professor Oyawoye at Ibadan was the University College, Jos. The Project, which was his brain child. brought to the attention of Professor Lambo as a major initiative which the University should take and, which could provide unique research and teaching opportunities in Geology and agriculture in view of the unique petrological setting of the mineral rich climate of the Plateau. He later assisted Professor Lambo to pilot the Project successfully through a hostile Senate and the hesitant Council of Ibadan University.
Nationally, Professor Oyawoye served the nation meritoriously at various levels as: Member, Nigerian Council for Science and Technology 1970-1974. Member.
Ibadan University Council 1970-1976. Member, the First Board of Federal Capital Development Authority 1976-1980. Member, Board of the Institute of International Affairs 1983-1985. Chairman. West African Examination Council (WAEC) 1985-1988.
Chairman, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (NNPC) 1989-1993. Chairman, Federal College of Education Yola 1989-1993.
As chairman of WAEC he was responsible for the establishment of MEGAVON west Africa) Limited, (located in Nigeria) as a subsidiary Company of WAEC to carry out all the security and general printing for WAEC and the Business Community in West Africa.
Locally, he also served his home State, Kwara, in several capacities; He was: Member, Kwara State Advisory Committee for Science and Technology 1970-1975; Member. Board of Kwara State Printing and Publishing Corporation 1971- 1975: Chairman, Board of Kwara State Agriculture Development Corporation; Founding Chairman, Kwara State Agriculture Development Corporation; Founding Chairman, Kwara State College of Technology 1968-1975; Chairman, Kwara State Transition Committee (1992).
The establishment of Kwara State College of Technology deserves special mentioning as a great achievement. It was founded based on his advice to Governor David Bamigboye as the best way to give competitive edge to Kwara State students seeking to enter Universities. He became its founding Chairman. He worked vigorously to bring the College of Technology to maturity within three years, gaining for it national and international recognition, particularly from the Cambridge University Examination Syndicate which agreed to conduct
special "A Level" Examination for the College.
At home in Offa he devoted a great deal of time to help Offa people especially, youths. His contributions to Offa Town are too many to list. To mention a few, he was General Secretary of Offa Descendants Union (O.D.U) for a long term and later became its President (1992-1996); the only person to date to have held the two offices.
Olalomi Comprehensive Scho which recently became the Polytechnic Offa was planned guided from inception by him.
As ODU General Secretary, he was chairman of Offa Grammar School for several years. He left behind as monument to his achievement the modern science Laboratories in three blocks.
A devout Muslim, hew Chairman of Jamat Nasril Islam J.N.I, for the Community of Offa and surrounding towns. The magnificent Central Mosque Offa came to be, from his initiative and fund raising efforts.
A believer in the potential of youths, he devotes a lot of time to advising them and giving career guidance and employment assistance.
He was distinguished by being the First African Doctorate Degree holder in Geology, the First African Professor of Geology, the First founding Fellow of the Geological Society of Africa and a foundation Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science. He has been variously honoured by distinguished organizations and institutions:
He was given Alumni Achievement Award by Washington State University in 1984, awarded Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists in 1991 and he was Honorary Citizen of Leoburk, U.S.A. in 1970. He was awarded The Right Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe Medal in year 2000. He was awarded National Honors, OON. in 2001.
This most distinguished African citizen of Nigeria of Kwara State
