UNILAG Senate Celebrates Professors Okoro and Babawale on Retirement

The University of Lagos Senate, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, held a special session in honour of two distinguished academics, Professor Oko Okoro of the Department of English and Professor Gabriel Kayode Babawale of the Department of Estate Management, as they prepare to bow out of active university service.

Professor Okoro will officially retire on September 1, 2025, while Professor Babawale’s retirement takes effect on September 14, 2025.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, commended the retiring dons for their illustrious service to the institution and the nation at large. She described them as exemplary scholars whose contributions have enriched academic life at UNILAG and impacted generations of students.

In their remarks, Professors Okoro and Babawale expressed gratitude to the University Senate and the wider UNILAG community for the recognition. Both acknowledged the institution as a platform that enabled them to pursue fulfilling careers, contribute to knowledge, and mentor future leaders.

Citation: Professor Oko Okoro
Born on September 1, 1955, Professor Okoro earned his BA, MPhil, and PhD in English from the University of Lagos. Appointed Assistant Lecturer in 1985, he rose to the rank of Professor in 2019.
He has held several positions, including:

• Departmental Examinations Officer
• Coordinator of Use of English Programme
• Faculty Examinations Officer
• Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies
• Member, Postgraduate School Academic Programmes Committee
• Member, University Students’ Disciplinary Board
• Acting Head of Department
• Member, UNILAG Journal of the Humanities Editorial Board
• Member, Quality Assurance Committee
• Chairman, Faculty of Arts Quality Assurance Sub-Committee

Professor Okoro supervised 15 PhD theses, 181 Master’s projects, and over 400 undergraduate projects. He has also served as Visiting Professor and External Examiner to universities in Nigeria and Ghana. Beyond academia, he worked extensively as a consultant and trainer in business communication with organisations such as the British Council, CIPMN, ICAN, WAEC, ECOWAS, and WAIFEM. He is married with children and grandchildren.

Citation: Professor Gabriel Kayode Babawale
Born on September 14, 1955, Professor Babawale obtained a B.Sc. (First Class) in Estate Management from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), an MSc. in Urban Land Appraisal from the University of Reading, UK, and a PhD in Estate Management from UNILAG.
He joined the University of Lagos as Lecturer II in March 1999 and became a Professor in 2019.

His administrative service includes:

• Head, Department of Estate Management
• Sub-Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences
• Course Adviser and Class Teacher
• Postgraduate Studies Coordinator
• Faculty Examination Officer
• Foundation Programme Coordinator
• Staff Adviser, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Students’ Association

Professor Babawale supervised eight PhDs (four as main supervisor and four as co-supervisor) and served as an external examiner in Nigerian universities and abroad, including the Netherlands. He assessed numerous PhD defences and professorial promotions.

A registered Estate Surveyor and Valuer, he ran a professional practice, Kayode Babawale & Co., Estate Surveyors & Valuers. He is also a pastor with the Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) and co-founder of Christ Relief Ministry, a support initiative for widows and orphans, with his wife.

The Senate session ended with a standing ovation for both retiring professors, marking the culmination of decades of academic excellence and service to humanity.