OWOEYE Babajide

Profile of Prof. Jide Owoeye, B.Sc.(Ibadan), M.Sc., Ph.D.,(Ife) F.ICA, JP

Prof. Jide Owoeye was born on 1st March, 1956 in Ibadan to Chief Jackson Folorunso Owoeye a civil servant who retired as Commissioner of Internal Revenue in the old Western region civil service, and a caring mother, Chief (Mrs.) Adeline Olufadeke Owoeye, a retired Nursing Matron at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Early education for him began at age six at the United Missionary College (UMC) Demonstration School Ibadan in 1961. He also attended GTTC primary school, Ilesha, St Matthias primary school, Akure, St. James's Primary School Ibadan and Methodist Primary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan where he eventually completed his elementary education in 1967. He then proceeded to Olivet Baptist High School Oyo, in 1968. He obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1972 and later proceeded to the Government College, Ibadan between 1973 and 1974 for his Higher School Certificate (HSC).

He gained admission to the premier University, the University of Ibadan in 1974 and graduated B.Sc. (Hons) Sociology in 1977. His Post Graduate education followed at the University of Ife where he bagged Masters and Doctorate degrees in International Relations in 1983 and 1987, respectively. He also studied for a post Graduate Diploma in Distance Learning at the University of South-Africa and understudied extensively, the distant learning programme of this oldest University in Africa. His South-African experience was to influence greatly his forays into institution building at both tertiary and non-tertiary levels.

He joined the services of the Obafemi Awolowo University as Administrative Officer I in 1982. Thereafter he was appointed as Assistant Lecturer in the Department of International Relations in 1983. He later got a Japanese Government Scholarship with which he pursued his Doctoral Field work in Japan for six months doing a pioneering work on Japan ’s Policy in Africa and bagged his Ph.D in International Relations in 1987. He rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2002. He retired voluntarily from the services of the University in February 2005.

Prof Jide Owoeye is Chairman College Press & Publishers Ltd., Jericho Ibadan (established in 1986); Chairman, Eduserve Consult - an educational consultancy firm; Chairman Board of Governors, Lead City High School, Jericho Ibadan (established in 1998). Chairman, Governing Council of Lead City University, Ibadan (established in 2005). The need for educational loan for students and staff welfare services also necessitated his establishment of the Lead City Microfinance Bank Ltd. in 2008. These activities have created immense opportunities for training, skill acquisition, career and job opportunities for many people.

He has also extended philanthropic gestures through provision of scholarships for both tertiary & non-tertiary education. These contributions to socio-economic development has prompted several awards which includes Award of Professional excellence by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) in 2009; and five traditional chieftaincy titles - the Obafunminiyi of Ibokun; the Aare Ona-Eko of Oke-Ila Orangun, both in Osun State in 2008, The Aare Gbobaniyi of Ugboland, Ilaje, Ondo State in 2010, the Olootu of the Source, Ile Ife in 2011 and the Agbaakin Atayese of Ibadanland in 2013.

A sociable and community minded person, Professor Owoeye is a Trustee and member of Ibadan Polo Club, Ibadan Golf Club, Ibadan Recreation Club and Youth Xtian Circle of St Jame’s Cathedral, Oke-Bola Ibadan. Highly principled with very strong Christian and family values, He is happily married to highly resourceful, Taiwo Tolulope Owoeye (nee Emuleomo) a publisher and School Administrator. They are proud parents of four children and grand children.