Wande Abimbola


Wándé Abímbọ́lá is a Nigerian academician, a professor of Yoruba language and literature, and a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ife. He has also served as the Majority Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chief Abimbola was installed as Àwísẹ Awo Àgbàyé in 1981 by the Ooni of Ife on the recommendation of a conclave of Babalawos of Yorubaland.

Academic studies

Abimbola received his first degree in History from University College, Ibadan, in 1963 when that college was affiliated to the University of London. He received his Master's Degree in Linguistics from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, in 1966, and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Yoruba Literature from the University of Lagos in 1971. Abimbola was the first PhD graduate of the University of Lagos. He became a Full Professor in 1976.
Abimbola taught in three Nigerian universities, namely the University of Ibadan from 1963 to 1965, University of Lagos from 1966 to 1972, and the University of Ife from 1972 to 1991. He has also taught at several US universities, including Indiana University, Amherst College, Harvard University, Boston University, Colgate University, and most recently, the University of Louisville. Abimbola has written books on Ifá and Yoruba culture. In 1977, Abimbola's Ifá Divination Poetry was published by NOK publishers.

Work experience

University administration