Professor Ibraheem Gbajabiamila

Professor Ibraheem Gbajabiamila was born in Lagos State over six decades ago. He received
his Primary and Secondary Education in London. He proceeded to the University of London in
1976 where he obtained his first degree in Microbiology. He remained at the University as a
Research Student until he obtained his PhD in Virology in 1984.
He was at the University as a Research Fellow before obtaining his first appointment within
the University of London where he worked for over twenty years, rising to the rank of Head of
Extra Mural Science. He was later head-hunted to the role of Associate Director in the another
London University where he had academic responsibility for academic excellence.
Gbajabiamila was Visiting Professor and was later appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor and
Professor of Virology at Crescent University, Abeokuta in 2010/2011.
Professor Gbajabiamila has served on a member of a number of International and Community
organisations.
His tenure as Vice Chancellor of Crescent University has witnessed numerous achievements
including:

•  100% Accreditation of all Crescent University programmes.
•  The Crescent graduates making first class at the Nigerian Law School and getting job
   placements with the BBC,CBN, Nigeria Customs,Nestle Foods…
•  The establishment of College of Health Sciences: Nursing, Anatomy & Physiology
•  Attracting many scholarship opportunities from organizations and individuals.
•  Construction of ultramodern halls of residence to cater for students’ population.

Professor Gbajabiamila is a lover of teaching profession which he deliberately inherited from
his father and by extension, his grandfather. The popular Ansarud-Deen Society of Nigeria,
which gave birth to Ansar-ud-Deen Primary Schools, Colleges and hospitals, started in his
family compound on Lagos Island in 1920s with his grandfather and other friends as foundation
members.
His love for knowledge transcends the frontiers of his area of specialization which is science,
specially, Virology. His interest in and passion for the study of music, musicology, films, theatre and Yoruba culture have earned him a visiting lecturer and facilitator of masterclasses to
TAMPAN students at the Department of Mass Communication, Crescent University, Abeokuta.
In his estimation, Yoruba culture and language are “a serious enterprise”, which should not be
allowed to go into extinction. Professor Gbajabiamila’s belief is that if Yoruba culture and
language could be widely studied and embraced by Europeans and Americans, why should a
son of the soil like him not be so interested.
It is interesting to emphasize that a science scholar such as Professor Gbajabiamila is a proud
custodian of an impressive digital library of music and films as he keenly follows the activities
of the Yoruba genre.He has cited the philosophy of “Orin Ketekete” by Ebenezer Obey and has
analysed the highly cerebral works of Professors Chris Watterman, Karin Barber and David
Crystal in language development and decline around the world.
As part of his contributions to the cross-disciplinary research, Professor Gbajabiamila has
delivered masterclasses on the following themes:

• Contemporary discourse on the rapid decline in Communication in Yoruba language
• Film Narratives and Projection of Meaning in Yoruba Movies
• Yoruba music, history of Yoruba theatre and need for more professionalism in the Nollywood
  industry

The classic and erudite Professor Gbajabiamila belongs to several professional associations
including:

• Member, Institute of Learning & Teaching, (MILT) (UK).
• Member, Forensic Science Society
• Member Institute of Biology (M.I.Biol)
• Chartered Biologist (C.Biol)
• Fellow, Linnean Society (FLS)

In recognition of his numerous contributions to knowledge, human capital development and
community service, our esteemed Prof. Gbajabiamila has received academic, professional and
community awards too numerous to mention here.
Professor Gbajabiamila is a prolific speaker, humble personage, articulate scholar, fluid
presenter and academic manager of human and material resources.
A standing ovation for the vice Chancellor.