The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has lost another of its distinguished academics, Prof. Duro Ajeyalemi, to COVID-19.
This came just three days after the demise of the university’s eighth vice-chancellor, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
Ajeyalemi and Ibidapo-Obe were among the workers presented with long service awards in 2019.
The Professor of Education was the pioneer Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint University Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) – a body that conducts standard exams for students taking approved foundation/diploma programmes in universities for direct entry.
Ajeyalemi, who was born on November 7, 1950, had his primary education at the St Peter’s School, Ibokun (1956-61); secondary at LA Secondary Modern School, Ibokun (1962) and Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo (1963-67) before proceeding for his tertiary education at the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (1970-72) and UNILAG (1973-76). He had his postgraduate education at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK (1978-81).
Ajeyalemi began his career at the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1968 and was there till 1970. He moved on to Lever Brothers as a Management Trainee in 1977 before joining UNILAG as a Graduate Assistant in 1977-81. He rose through the ranks becoming Lecturer II, Department of Curriculum Studies (1981-83); Lecturer I (1983-84); Senior Lecturer (1984); AG Head, Department of Curriculum Studies (1992-94); and became Sub-Dean, Faculty of Education (1991-92).