University of Ibadan Mourns the Loss of Emeritus Professor Ben Ohi Elugbe

The University of Ibadan has paid tribute to the late Emeritus Professor Ben Ohiomamhe Elugbe, a renowned linguist and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of linguistics.

Professor Elugbe's legacy is marked by his pioneering work on Nigerian Pidgin, endangered languages, and language documentation.

Professor Elugbe's seminal work, "Nigerian Pidgin: Problems and Prospects" (1995), laid the groundwork for recognizing Nigerian Pidgin as a legitimate language.

He championed the preservation of Nigeria's endangered languages, documenting minor languages and modernizing orthographies.

Professor Elugbe was a dedicated mentor and leader, guiding students to become field researchers, BBC linguists, and professors. He served as President of the West African Linguistic Society and cemented the University of Ibadan's status as a premier hub for linguistic scholarship.

He was a Fellow, Public Orator, and President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, and a decorated officer of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.

Professor Elugbe's work continues to inspire new generations of linguists and scholars. His advocacy for Nigerian Pidgin has led to its recognition as a language of international commerce, faith, and informal markets. The University of Ibadan's Endangered Languages Documentation Programme and the Jehovah's Witnesses' Pidgin Bible translations are testaments to his enduring legacy.

The University of Ibadan community has expressed profound sadness at the loss of Professor Elugbe, describing him as a "gift to Nigeria, Africa, and humanity." The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, paid tribute to his legacy, saying, "Language is the soul of a people; to defend it, is to defend their humanity." Rest on, Professor Emeritus Ben Ohi Elugbe. Your words outlive you .