Nigeria’s first geography teacher and the first African President of the International Geographical UnionAkin Mabogunje, has died.
Mr. Mabogunje’s daughter and former Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Folasade Ogunsola, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Thursday.
He said the nonagenarian died Thursday in his sleep.
“Yes, I can confirm it. Baba died in Lagos in his sleep this morning,” Ms. Ogunsola, a professor of medical microbiology, said by phone.
Additionally, in a brief statement credited to the national president of the Ibadan Grammar School Alumni Association, Oladimeji Mako, members of the association were also notified of the nonagenarian’s passing.
About Mabogunje
The deceased, who came from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, turned 90 on October 18, 2021.
He was a professor at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, until 1981, when he retired and established PAI Associates, and later the Center for Development Policy. He did all this in partnership with his friend and colleague, Ojetunji Aboyade.
His works are said to have focused on contemporary geographic issues of rural-urban migration, urbanization, development, and environmental challenges facing Nigeria and Africa.
An associate of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr. Mabogunje is said to have served both the university and Nigeria in various capacities, including his contributions to the creation and beautification of the country’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
In 1999, Mr. Mabogunje became the first African to be elected a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences, and he also served as a member of the Federal Public Service Review Commission in 1972 and as Chairman of the Nigerian Council for Management Development in 1976. .
He was also Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of Ogun State University (OSU) and now Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.