Emeritus Professor Ekundayo Adeyinka Adeyemi was the first professor of architecture in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. On January 25th 2022, he passed on aged 84.

He was born to parents from Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State on 27th February 1937. His older brother the late Adedokun Adeyemi was one of Nigeria’s earliest architects. Prof. Adeyemi attended four different primary schools across various states before concluding his basic education in Ekiti State. His secondary education was completed at Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti in 1956. In 1963, he obtained a degree in architecture from the Ahmadu Bello University(ABU). He later went on to obtain Masters and Doctorate degrees from New York and Columbia Universities in the U.S.A

He started his lecturing career at Ahmadu Bello University in 1969, where he rose through the ranks to become the dean of faculty of environmental design in 1976. He was made a full professor at the university the previous year, becoming the first Professor of Architecture in Nigeria. While he was at ABU he co-founded the renowned architectural practice - Archcon in Kaduna. Most of his private work was done through Archcon. Their projects include: University of Sokoto Master Plan, Kaduna Trade Fair Complex, Savannah Bank Kaduna and General Hospital Gbagada in Lagos.

In 1982, Ekundayo went on sabbatical to the University of sheffield as a visiting professor. In 1988, Ekundayo was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Akure(FUTA). Between 1999 and 2002, he was selected as Ag. Vice Chancellor of the school. In 2004, he came out of retirement to become the dean of College of Science and Technology and professor at Covenant University, Otta.

Professor Adeyemi was a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), and of the Association of Architect-Educators in Nigeria (AARCHES) He was a founding Council member of ARCON (1970-84) and also a founding Council member of the Africa Union of Architects (AUA). He was a recipient of several awards.

Over a period of active academic pursuits, spanning thirty-three years before retirement, he served as an external examiner at several higher institutions, published many papers and supervised numerous Master’s and Doctoral Theses. He was highly respected and loved by many. May his Soul RIP

photos: forevermissed memorial site

https://www./nigeriannostalgiaproject/permalink/7355003397873712/

RIP to the great Omoluabi

Rest in peace.

Architecturally Beautiful and Handsome Man ...!

Fare thee well....!