Professor Olutayo Charles Adesina has joined other erudite Nigerians at home and abroad to mourn the demise of a highly revered scholar, Professor Siyan Oyeweso.
Adesina, in a powerfully scripted tribute described Oyeweso, who died on December 2nd, 2025, described the late scholar as a ‘respected brother’.
Read the full text of the Tribute here:
An Unfinished Life: A Tribute to a Respected Scholar and Brother
The passing of Professor Siyan Oyeweso, FHSN FNAL, into glory on 2 December 2025 is one of the most sorrowful events for me in recent years.
Every tribute written by friends, family, colleagues, and well-wishers from around the world for Prof Oyeweso brings tears to my eyes. It is deeply painful to hear him spoken of in the past tense.
Some are closer than the skin of one’s body. Professor Oyeweso was one such person. He was my brother, friend, confidant, and mentor. He was all these without any guile.
We were together for years! Undergraduate, postgraduate, lecturer, teacher, assessor, examiner, professor of history, conference convener, co-authors, co-editors, celebrants — you name it. We shared everything. Nothing fazed him. He was never tired of working.
Even then, he socialised well. I am sorry I could not be with him at his final moments. He was someone who socialised with you, challenged your intellect, gave advice, asked for advice, and inquired after everyone. I don’t know how he managed it! He wanted to do so much for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as Chairman of the Governing Council. He had his dreams. He was a tireless worker.
We have just finished editing the 400-page book arising from the three-day International Conference in Honour of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, JP, CFR, LLD, which took several years to edit. He was involved in numerous other projects and programmes. It was truly an unfinished life!
He had so much goodwill to give. Unfortunately, the Grim Reaper came calling. Yes, he had many friends. But he also had detractors.
The stories will be shared in future when we talk about his life and times. But now is the time to pray for the repose of his soul and for God to grant us all the strength to bear this great loss.
Dear Professor, AbdulGafar Siyan Oyeweso, Requiescat in Pace.
My comfort is that even death will die!
Farewell, Professor Siyan Oyeweso
Department of History
University of Ibadan
