Professor Emeritus Titiloye Ademola Oyejide, a renowned economist, was born on April 5, 1945, in Ikire, Osun State. He hails from Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government. Professor Oyejide’s academic journey began at Aiyedaade Grammar School, Ikire, where he excelled and obtained the West African School Certificate.
To support his younger brother’s education at the prestigious Government College, Ibadan, Professor Oyejide took on a clerical job. Simultaneously, he pursued the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level). His impressive academic background and dedication to his family’s education laid the foundation for his future success.
Professor Titiloye Ademola Oyejide’s academic excellence began when he gained admission to the University of Ibadan in 1965 to study Economics. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, earning First Class Honours in June 1968, a pioneering achievement as the first person to earn this distinction in the Department of Economics.
Under the guidance of his teacher and mentor, the late Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, Oyejide benefited from a robust capacity-building programme. Professor Aboyade, a distinguished economist and the first Nigerian Head of Department, facilitated training opportunities for Economics graduates at top universities in North America and Europe.
Professor Titiloye Ademola Oyejide’s academic pursuits took a fascinating turn when he gained admission to Princeton University’s M.A. Economics programme. However, due to delays, his mentor, Professor Aboyade, arranged for him to attend the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Thus, he was at LSE between 1968 and 1969 and earned an M. Sc. degree in Economics in June, 1969.
He then proceeded to the Princeton University, earning an M.A. degree in Economics in 1970 and a Ph.D. in Economics in 1972. During his time at Princeton, he served as a Teaching Assistant from 1970 to 1971.
With an impressive academic portfolio, including two Master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Economics, Professor Titiloye Ademola Oyejide returned to his alma mater, the University of Ibadan, in 1972 as a Lecturer.
His academic trajectory was marked by rapid progression, earning promotions to Senior Lecturer in 1976 and Professor in 1979, at the remarkable age of 34. After a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Professor Oyejide retired from the University in 2010. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was appointed Emeritus Professor in 2013.
Currently, Professor Oyejide maintains an active presence in the Department of Economics, continuing to make meaningful contributions in various capacities, including teaching, research, mentorship and leadership.
Our paths first crossed in the late 1980s, and it has been a tremendous blessing ever since. Although I was admitted to the Department of Economics in 1985, my first personal encounter with Professor Oyejide didn’t occur until my Ph.D. proposal seminar.
The seminar was a rigorous and intense experience, with my proposal being thoroughly scrutinised. However, a glimmer of hope emerged when my supervisor, Professor Akin Iwayemi, and Professor Emeritus Oyejide offered constructive feedback, suggesting that a revised proposal incorporating their comments could qualify me for a thesis grant from the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC). Securing the thesis grant marked the beginning of my fruitful association with AERC and served as a springboard to the global community of foremost economists.
Professor Emeritus Oyejide’s academic background and mentorship have empowered him to transcend traditional boundaries in economics. His exposure to both English and American economic philosophies, combined with his grounding in development economics and the taproot school of economic thought (courtesy of his mentor, Professor Ojetunji Aboyade), has granted him a unique versatility.
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As a result, Professor Oyejide has made significant contributions to various areas of economics, including trade, trade policy and regional integration (his primary area of specialisation); banking and finance; industrial economics; public finance; and governance and polity. His diverse expertise has enabled him to teach, research and publish across multiple fields, solidifying his position as a leading economist.
Professor Emeritus Oyejide is a prolific scholar with an impressive portfolio of over 250 publications in esteemed national and international journals, books, book chapters, monographs, technical reports and conference papers.
As an accomplished educator, Professor Oyejide played a key role in designing the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at the University of Ibadan in October 1980. Throughout his career, he has taught a wide range of economics courses, including International economics and development; Microeconomics; Macroeconomics; Management theory; and History of economic thought. These courses have been offered across various programmes in the Department of Economics, showcasing Professor Oyejide’s versatility and dedication to teaching.
Professor Emeritus Oyejide directed collaborative research programmes under the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Nairobi, Kenya, promoting capacity building in economic analysis to inform policy. He led projects on regional integration, trade liberalization, and Africa’s position in global trade. His work has impacted thousands of economists, fostering expertise in trade policy and negotiations across Africa. For instance, the first project he directed was on regional integration and trade liberalisation in sub-Saharan Africa, which involved over 60 researchers. The output was published in 4 volumes by Macmillan, London. Similarly, the second collaborative project directed by Professor Emeritus Oyejide was African imperatives in the new world trade order and it was as impactful as the first one. In addition, he was the Chairman of the AERC’s Trade, Trade Policy and Regional Integration thematic research group for over two decades where young researchers were guided to design and execute policy-relevant research projects in that particular area. The impact of this is that Africa now boasts of critical experts in trade policy and negotiations at both regional and multilateral levels.
Professor Oyejide’s exceptional leadership and institutional capacity-building skills were evident during his tenure as the Head of the Department from August 1, 1981 to July 31, 1985. He implemented lasting positive changes and spearheaded the design of the Master of Science in Banking and Finance (MBF) programme, which commenced in 1982. Notably, he secured a grant from the International Bank for West Africa (IBWA), now known as Polaris Bank Plc, to support the programme’s development. The fund was used to construct the Department of Economics annexe building, popularly called “Afribank Building”.
Professor Emeritus Oyejide played a pivotal role in establishing the Trade Policy Research and Training Programme (TPRTP), a premier platform that unites individuals passionate about trade, trade policy, and related fields. He spearheaded the programme as its Director from 1990 to 2010. Building on this success, Professor Oyejide, with some of us, founded and chaired the Centre for Trade and Development Initiatives (CTDI) in 2011, further solidifying his commitment to fostering dialogue and expertise in trade and development.
Professor Oyejide’s illustrious career is marked by numerous academic achievements and leadership roles. He was a visiting scholar at the Institute for International Economic Studies, University of Stockholm, from 1978 to 1979, and later became a visiting fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington from 1985 to 1987.
Within the academic community, Professor Oyejide served in various capacities, including (I) Committee Member/Chairman: He played key roles in several important committees at the University of Ibadan (2) External Examiner and Assessor: He contributed to the evaluation and assessment of academic programmes and institutions. and (3) Editorial Roles: Managing Editor, African Journal of Economic Policy (AJEP): He led the journal from 1994 to 2010; Editor-in-Chief, Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences from 2003 to 2007.
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Professor Oyejide has consistently demonstrated his dedication to the Department, remaining actively engaged except during sabbaticals or approved short leaves. He has played a key role in capacity building, generously offering mentorship and supervision to students. His seminar presentations have been invaluable, showcasing his expertise and inspiring others. Guided by his philosophy that “as teachers and mentors, we are here to provide solutions to problems”, Professor Emeritus Oyejide maintains an open-door policy. He welcomes students and colleagues, offering guidance, support and encouragement, thereby fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Professor Oyejide’s remarkable academic career is marked by his exceptional mentorship, having supervised over 25 Ph.D. students. In celebration of his 80th birthday, some of his Ph.D. students have honoured him with a book titled “A Mentor for Life.” This is not the first time his students have recognised his contributions; in 2005, when he turned 60, his students celebrated with a book titled, “Economic Policy and Analysis”, edited by O.D. Ogun, E.O. Ogunkola and A.S. Bankole.
His distinguished career is marked by notable appointments and honours. In 2001, he was selected by former WTO Director-General, Mike Moore to join a Member Advisory Panel on World Trade Organisation (WTO) affairs. This esteemed panel provided strategic guidance to the Director-General on the challenges and opportunities facing the WTO and the global trading system. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of economics, Professor Oyejide was conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES), in 2005. This honour is a tribute to his significant impact on the Nigerian economic community and his commitment to advancing economic knowledge and policy.
Professor Oyejide’s contributions extend far beyond academia. In the business realm, he served as the Chairman and Director of Trans Intercontinental Bank (TIB) from 1989 to 2005 and as the Chairman of the Ikire Microfinance Bank Limited from 2008 to 2020.
At the national level, Professor Emeritus Oyejide held key positions, including:
– Chairman, National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC): He led the Committee in the Presidency from 2009 to 2012.
– Vice-Chairman, National Focal Point on Trade Matters: He played a crucial role in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja, from 2008 to 2012.
For knowledge enthusiasts, Professor Emeritus Oyejide exemplifies a shining example of dedication and excellence. He consistently delivers his best efforts in every endeavour he undertakes. I, personally, hold him in high esteem as a genius and a kind-hearted individual. He engages in academic discussions with an open mind, freely sharing his insights. Notably, he skillfully steers conversations away from personal topics, instead focusing on substantive issues. His analytical mind is evident in the structured approach he brings to discussions, always providing a thoughtful framework for examining and debating topics.
I feel deeply grateful to be associated with Professor Emeritus Oyejide. As I celebrate his remarkable life, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for his selfless love and sacrifices, which have played a profound role in helping me realise my potential.
I join numerous well-wishers in wishing him a joyous birthday and many more years of good health, happiness and celebration.
Prof E. O. Ogunkola, Professor of Economics writes via eo.ogunkola@ui.edu.ng
