…Commends Prof. Oloyede’s Achievements
*Photo: Professor Ishaq Oloyede*
An erudite scholar and Professor of African History at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert, has underscored the critical contributions of the humanities to understanding and resolving contemporary global complexities.
Prof. Albert, who is the Director of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies as well as the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management at the University of Ibadan, made this assertion while delivering a lecture in honour of Professor Emeritus Is-haq Oloyede.
The lecture was organised by the Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, on Thursday, 18 December 2025.
Titled “Widening the Aperture: The Humanities in the Age of Global Uncertainties,” the lecture examined the relevance of the humanities in today’s world, highlighting how disciplines such as philosophy, history, literature, and cultural studies illuminate the modern global experience through critical inquiry and cross-cultural engagement.
The presentation offered a critical exploration of cultural nuances, moral dilemmas, historical contexts, and the far-reaching consequences of uncertainty. It also proposed a framework that places greater emphasis on history, literature, and cultural studies as essential tools for understanding contemporary perspectives, ethical reflection, and conflict resolution.
Speaking as a conflict analyst and peacebuilding expert, Prof. Albert noted that the paper demonstrated how the humanities help explain pervasive uncertainties at both local and global levels. According to him, the humanities provide distinctive analytical tools for understanding and addressing these challenges while fostering resilience, inclusivity, and informed decision-making.
The pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies further explained that the lecture was closely connected to the enduring legacies of Prof. Oloyede, particularly his transformative leadership at the University of Ilorin and his unprecedented achievements as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Prof. Albert stated: “This lecture is delivered in honour of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, a man who provided me with the necessary support and resources to establish the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin. His emphasis on academic excellence, infrastructure development, and technology left an indelible mark on the institution. I am deeply appreciative of this opportunity, which aligns seamlessly with my professional aspirations.”
Reflecting on Prof. Oloyede’s tenure at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Albert added: “While in Ilorin, I witnessed Prof. Oloyede’s transformation of the institution into one of the top 20 universities in Africa. He introduced computer-based examinations at the University, an innovative initiative that has since been adopted by many institutions nationwide.”
He further observed that, as Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Oloyede has distinguished himself through far-reaching reforms and innovations in the Board’s operations. These include the strengthening of computer-based testing, the automation of admissions through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), the establishment of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), unprecedented financial remittances, and the receipt of numerous national and international awards.
Prof. Albert noted that the lecture was deliberately structured to highlight Prof. Oloyede’s commitment to inclusivity, particularly his passion for easing access to examinations for candidates with disabilities. He also praised Prof Oloyede’s insistence on accountability and transparency in JAMB’s operations, stressing that his intellectual, societal, and pedagogical contributions remain remarkable and enduring.
Concluding his lecture, Prof. Albert emphasized that the humanities equip societies to frame complex problems, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and address policy uncertainties through deeper analysis and practical strategies.
In his remarks, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, described the humanities as repositories of the human spirit, capturing the full spectrum of humanity’s triumphs and failures.
He said:“When we are uncertain about truth and bewildered by a cacophony of narratives, the humanities train us in the art of critical discernment. They teach us how to deconstruct speeches, interrogate populist rhetoric, and understand the historical context of conflicts.”
He added that the humanities enable individuals to read between the lines of news reports, much like historians weigh evidence, literary critics unpack metaphors, and philosophers expose logical fallacies. According to him, these skills are not mere academic exercises but essential survival tools in the information age, particularly in a world grappling with fractured identities shaped by tribalism and globalization.
Continuing, Prof. Oloyede argued that despite remarkable technological advancements, humanity remains mired in deep uncertainties about the future, the stability of democracies, the nature of truth in the digital age, and what it truly means to be human in an era where technology threatens to redefine biology and consciousness.
“These are crises of meaning, values, and ethical direction,” he said. “It is precisely at such moments that the humanities reveal themselves not as optional subjects but as vital disciplines of human existence, history, philosophy, literature, language, religion, and the arts.”
He further noted that when societies grapple with questions of justice, they must look beyond legal codes to the deeper tensions between human law and moral conscience.
Prof. Oloyede described the honour as the highest recognition he had received in his career.
Earlier in their goodwill messages, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts warmly welcomed the JAMB Registrar, highlighting his immense contributions to the growth and development of the Faculty and the University at large.