Federal University Lokoja to hold 4th colloquium in honour of Olu Obafemi
By Editor
FEDERAL University, Lokoja, Kogi State, is set to host its 4th Annual Colloquium in honour of Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The programme is being organised by the University in collaboration with its Department of English and Literary Studies, scheduled for 12.00noon at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Felele Campus. It will form part of the events slated for the university’s 2026 convocation ceremony.
The theme of this year’s edition is ‘Creativity as Criticism in Olu Obafemi’s Works.’
Professor Obafemi, a National Merit Award recipient, is a highly respected Nigerian literary scholar, playwright and poet whose works have contributed to the development of literature and theatre in Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, has described the event as a living forum for celebrating an outstanding scholar, writer, teacher and mentor. Prof. Ibileye notes that the occasion carries special personal significance for him, because Professor Obafemi has remained a mentor and model of intellectual and ethical commitment.
He traces the history of the colloquium to its inaugural edition in 2023, initiated under his predecessor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, who believed a scholar of Obafemi’s stature should be honoured through a continuing programme of intellectual inquiry, not just ceremonial tributes. The second edition held in 2024 and the third in 2025 consolidated it as an annual gathering.
Prof. Ibileye stresses that although the honoree is his mentor, the significance extends far beyond their personal bond, and lies in the rich discourses the series generates about artistic responsibility, education, power, justice, cultural identity and shared humanity.
On the theme, the Vice-Chancellor explains that this year’s focus invites scholars to consider creativity not simply as production of art, but as a means of questioning the world — how imaginative writing interprets social experience, exposes contradictions and opens possibilities for change.
Coloquium chairman will be the Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi. The expected paper presenters are Prof. S. T. Babatunde of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sola Adeyemi of the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom, Prof. Ofure Aito of Federal University, Lokoja, and Dr. Funke Aliyu of the University of Ilorin. The delivery mode will be hybrid.
The literary feast is expected to bring together principal officers of the university, academics, literary scholars, students and other guests to celebrate Professor Obafemi’s several decades of contributions to creative writing and literary criticism.
Special guest of Honour is His Excellency, Ododo, Governor, Kogi State. Other distinguished guests include the Vice- Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole, the Vice-Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, the Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University, Kabba, Professor K. I. T Eniola, and the Vice-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, Professor Solomon Ajayi Adebo. Others are President of Nigerian Academy of Letters, Prof. Andrew Haruna and its Vice President, Prof. Sunday Enessi Ododo, President of Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association, Dr. Wale Okediran, Chairman, Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG), Dr. Adedapo Gbadega and the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Dr. Sonny Echonor.
For enquiries about the programme, contact: Head of Department of English and Literary Studies, Dr. Peter Okpeh, LOC Chair, Dr. Abba Abba, or the Secretary, Dr. Grace Olarewaju.
