Olayiwola Abegunrin: An Elder and an Intellectual Giant Marches On
Toyin Falola
Olayiwola Abegunrin: An Elder and an Intellectual Giant Marches On
Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
I had not intended to attend Howard University. But there I was in fall 2005 to continue my doctoral studies with the Department of African Studies. It was my first time at The Mecca and in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. I had gotten there by way of Florida, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. But Howard was different. It was different not just because it was and still is the most prestigious Historically Black College in the US, it is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. You go to Howard not just for the education and preparations; you go there because you wanted to make a difference in your immediate enclave and the wider global community.
Not long after the semester had begun, my adviser, Professor Luis Benjamin Serapiao, suggested that I meet with a professor in the Department of Political Science. A document needed to be endorsed. Professor Olayiwola Abegunrin was sitting behind his desk when I walked in. We conversed in both the English and Yoruba language for about thirty minutes before he asked why I had come to see him. He endorsed the document, then encouraged me to come back should I need his help on any matter. His benevolence towards me never ended. This was the beginning of our friendship which lasted until Tuesday April 14, 2020.
Many of the African scholars I have had the privilege to meet, I met through Professor Abegunrin. And many of the Nigerian scholars and intellectuals I have had the privilege to meet, I met through him. He seems to know everyone, and everyone seems to know him. Many of his former students at the University of Ife (now the Obafemi Awolowo University) have gone on to successful careers in the academy. Others are in the private sector. The love, respect, and admiration they show him -- especially when we meet at the annual African Studies Association conferences, and in recent years at the annual Africa Conference at Tennessee State University -- can be heartwarming.
Some shake his hand or hug him, while others bow followed by sidebars about family, health, and career. He never ceases to applaud their individual and collective wellbeing and achievements. He celebrates their successes. That was the type of man he was. Professor Abegunrin was never my teacher in the traditional sense. In other words, I never took classes with him. But from the moment we met and all through the years, he was a friend and a mentor, and life-coach. He taught me things I did not learn in my graduate school years. He suggested ideas and pathways that had not crossed my mind. And when I was considering political appointments, he thought otherwise.
My character and temperament, he would always remind me, was better suited for the university environment. He helped navigate the tenure and promotion process on both occasions and guided me through the process of securing publishing contracts. And when I needed chapter contributors for my earlier books, he suggested scholars within and outside of the United States. Some of his former students who are today eminent scholars are now friends of mine. He introduced me to the universe of some of the brightest minds in the academy.
I graduated from Howard University in 2009 and have returned to Washington, D.C. almost every year since. Except perhaps on two occasions, we would hang out or I would visit his lovely home and lovely family. And what a wonderful wife, children, and grandchildren he has. His wife of several decades, Mrs. Funmilola Abegunrin (nee Adekemi) was a supportive and doting partner. Her husband was not just a noted and brilliant scholar, he was a family man with genuine familial values. He was noble. He was ethical. He was upright. Although I never asked him, I believe he was a teetotaler; and I do not think he smoked. All through the years, I never heard him denigrate anyone. And neither was he egotistical.
Professor Abegunrin was always thoughtful and considerate and supportive of others. That was the type of man he was. During his pilgrimages to Nigeria, I would call to see how he was doing in “our Naija.” And I would always tease him -- asking if he would accept a political appointment. His reply, always spoken in the Yoruba language and accompanied by cascading laughter or a chuckle, was always: “No…not me…no!” The last time he went to Nigeria was the summer of 2019. Again, we spoke. As the season was ending, I had reasons to celebrate as I had achieved elevation in rank; secured a prestigious fellowship to an Asian country; and I had also secured a book contract. I was also looking forward to a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We talked about these developments.
But not long thereafter, he informed me that he was not feeling well. My journey to Washington, D.C. in January 2020 was unlike the previous ones. The questions. The unknown. The melancholy. I visited for four days and left on the fifth. My mom and sister were worried. They prayed for him. My colleagues who knew him by name and reputation only were also worried. They too prayed for him. Olayiwola Abegunrin was born on June 6, 1946, in Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria. He had his primary and secondary school education in Nigeria before sojourning to the USA to attend Dallas Baptist University, where he earned his B.Sc., in History/Political Science and Economics in 1973; an MA in Political Science and Diplomatic History from North Texas State University in 1975.
Professor Abegunrin earned his Ph.D. from Howard University in 1980 in African Studies, Politics and International Relations. From 1986-1988, he was a Senior Lecturer and the Chair, Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University; and from 1982-1990, he was a Consultant to the Departments of Defense & Foreign Affairs, Nigeria. He was also a visiting professor to several institutions including the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, and the University of Khartoum, Sudan. He is the author, coauthor, editor, and coeditor of several well-regarded books and journal articles. He was also a member of the International Studies Association, the Royal African Society, London, and a Life Member of the African Studies Association.
Death is inescapable. Even so, some people have impacted our lives and the lives of many others that we wish and pray they would never die, that they would never leave us. Olayiwola Abegunrin was such a man. The trees and flowers he planted would continue to grow and enrich humanity. I am glad I met him. Glad that he came into my life. His greatness and memory will live in all those whose lives he impacted. Especially mine! And so, I mourn the passing of my teacher, my mentor, and my friend. But most importantly, I celebrate his life. It was a life well-lived!
Sun re o
Ki Olorun fi orun ke Olayiwola omo Abegunrin. Ase.
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Sabella
Anthony Akinola
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Adebayo Oyebade
PROFESSOR OLAWIWOLA ABEGUNRIN: A TRIBUTE
By Adebayo Oyebade
I first met Prof. Olayiwola Abegurin at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), around July 1987, through my good friend, Prof. Abiodun Alao of King’s College, London, then a young lecturer at Ife’s Department of International Relations where Prof. Abegunrin was department head. Biodun had introduced me to him in that chance encounter at the parking lot of the Faculty of Administration. In that rather short meeting, his humility was evident; his deep interest in the progress of young and upcoming scholars unmistakable.
Many years later our paths crossed again, but this time in the United States since that parking lot encounter at Ife. Over the years we became close and I benefitted in many ways from his penchant for the advancement of the careers of younger scholars. I particularly enjoyed his unflinching support for the conference that I convene annually, the Annual Africa Conference at Tennessee State University. He made it a point of duty to attend the conference almost every year since its inception in 2012; the last time being April 2019. At the 2016 conference, he delivered one of the two keynote addresses. The well-received lecture on “Challenges of Democratization and Development in Africa in the Age of Terrorism: Perspectives for Good Governance in Nigeria,” was delivered, as typical of him, with passion but sincerity.
Professor Abegurin was truly a renowned, internationally recognized scholar whose work has touched on virtually every area of Africa’s international relations and lately on the transnational dimension of radical Islam, especially its impacts on United States-Africa relations. In addition to his dozens of accolades, awards, and honors, the Annual Africa Conference at Tennessee State University honored him at the 2016 meeting with the “Distinguished Scholar Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Teaching, and Service in African Studies.” This is an award reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contribution to African Studies. It was an honor for me to read the award citation at the conference and present him with the award plaque.
Prof. Abegunrin would be solely missed. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace!