Isaac Akinjogbin: A tribute

By Adewuyi Adegbite

The demise of erudite scholar and Professor Emeritus Isaac Adeagbo Akinjogbin has created a vacuum in the academic arena that will be difficult to fill. Akinjogbin died at a ripe age of 78 and lived a fulfilled life. He reached the pinnacle of his profession and left an indelible mark in the field of historical scholarship.

Akinjogbin and other leading historians like J.F. Ade Ajayi, A.E. Afigbo, E.J. Alagoa, Tekena Tamuno, Joseph Anenne, E. A Ayandele, Obaro Ikime, G. O. Gbadamosi, Ade Obayemi, etc; were the second and third generations of historians in Nigeria who took the baton from the pioneers such as Professor K.O. Dike, the first indigenous vice chancellor of the premier university, the University of Ibadan, and Professor Saburi Biobaku, a one time vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and former Director, Yoruba Historical Research Scheme.

The above mentioned historians were the first two Nigerians to write their research works on African History. Before their time, African now Nigerian history was not taught in African schools. The history they taught was that of Europe and European explorers in Africa. It was as a result of this is that European scholars like Trevor Roper denied Africans of history. According to Roper, “….before the coming of Europeans, African history was nothing but a meaningless gyration of barbarian tribes.” It was K.O. Dike and Saburi Biobaku who pioneered the research in Nigerian history.

While Dike worked on Trade and Politics in Niger Delta, Biobaku worked on Egba And Their Neighbours. Since then, emphasis has been laid on African History in African schools. Aside, the two pioneers produced many successors of whom late I.A. Akinjogbin was one.

Professor Akinjogbin was the first indigenous professor and Head of Department of History University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. Moreover, he served as Acting Director of the world-renowned Ife Institute of African Studies. He was the first indigenous Dean, Faculty of Arts and former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the above named university.

Professor Akinjogbin devoted his entire academic career to teaching and research in history. More than any Yoruba historian, he contributed to the understanding of Yoruba history and culture. His first published work was Dahomey and Its Neighbours, 1708-1818; which was published in 1967. Other Akinjogbin’s published works are Ife: Cradle of A Race (1992), War and Peace in Yorubaland, 1793-1893 (1998), and Milestones and Social Systems in Yoruba History and Culture which was published in 2002. The aforementioned books are well-researched, comprehensive and up-to-date text books on various aspects of Yoruba history and culture.

Besides Yoruba history, Akinjogbin worked on Nigerian history and co-authored a publication entitled Nigerian Economic and Social History with Dr. S.O. Osoba in 1980. He was a Research Fellow in the Yoruba Historical Research Scheme led by Biobaku between 1957 and 1960. In addition to the above publications, he was the author of several scholarly articles in reputable national and international journals.

As the first indigenous Head of Department of History at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Adeagbo Akinjogbin laid a solid foundation for the department. No wonder, the department produced many renowned academics and historians of international repute. Many of his products testified that he was easy-going, highly respected and somebody who could not hurt a fly.

Professor Akinjogbin belonged to that generation of historians who were proud of their profession and dominated the academic community they found themselves. As mentioned above, Dike, a historian of high esteem, was the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

Other historians who were Vice Chancellors of the same University were Professors Tekena Tamuno and Omoniyi Adewoye. At different intervals in University of Lagos, Professors Saburi Biobaku and J.F. Ade Ajayi were vice chancellors. Also, at the inception of University of Jos, Professor E.A. Ayandele was the principal before he was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar. The late Akinjogbin was formerly a Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University.

With the death of Akinjogbin, one hopes that historians, led by J.F. Ade Ajayi would call a conference of historians in conjunction with our traditional rulers, who are arch custodians of histories, corporate bodies and policy makers to chart a new course for history, not as an academic discipline only but a verifiable tool for national development.

May Professor Akinjogbin rest in perfect peace.

Adegbite sent this article from Ogbomoso.