The scholarly milestones of the late Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje famously reputed as Africa’s first Professor of Geography, resounded vibrantly on Saturday, October 18, 2025, as the drums were rolled out for the second public lecture in his honor.
All roads led to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos where family members led by their Matriarch, Justice Titilola Mabogunje (Rtd), friends, associates, well-wishers and protégés of late Professor Akin Mabogunje all converged under the aegis of the Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje (PALM) Foundation, to celebrate the legacies of scholarship, mentorship and leadership of late Professor Akin Mabogunje especially as the day also marked his third posthumous birthday.
A Day of Tributes and Goodwill Messages
Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the Special Guest of Honor, while Engineer Vincent Maduka was the Chairman of the event.
The duo paid glowing tributes to the Late Prof. Mabogunje, adjudging him a hero, a trail blazer, an achiever and a nation builder.
They advocated support from all and sundry towards the PALM Foundation, with a view to not only preserving but also consolidating the profound legacies of the late Professor Akin Mabogunje and his contributions to national building.
Chief Obasanjo particularly showered encomia on the late Professor of Geography for his role and feats in the establishment and development of Abuja as Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory as well as the establishment of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
There were goodwill messages from the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Dr. Tunji Olaopa.
They all shared various testimonies of their personal encounters with the Late Professor Mabogunje, highlighting his service oriented leadership, foresights, mentorship and avowed commitment to national development through impactful and meritorious services in various capacities.
Akin Mabogunje’s Intellectual Leadership in Multidisciplinary Urban Studies
The event featured a keynote address titled “Akin Mabogunje’s Intellectual Leadership in Multidisciplinary Urban Studies” delivered by Professor Isaac Olawale Albert of the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.
His address celebrated the life and times of Prof Mabogunje as an intellectual leader, a mentor and a man to beat in Multidisciplinary Urban studies.
Prof Albert lent credence to Prof Mabogunje’s pioneering works and its relevance, especially when viewed against the backdrop of recent global realization that Africa’s future lies in urbanization, and that Africa is now the epicenter of global urbanization.
While highlighting the late Prof Mabogunje’s significant contributions to knowledge, the Professor of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies noted that his legacies revolved around enlightened leadership and mobilization of internal resources for sustainable urban development. His words, “…Prof Mabogunje’s works stress spatial reorganization and integration, as illustrated in his role in conceptualizing Abuja. His approach challenges policymakers to foster equitable, sustainable cities that work for all citizens, addressing informality, housing shortages and urban poverty in a holistic manner…”
Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje (PALM) Foundation
The event also marked the formal launching of the Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje (PALM) Foundation as anchored by Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Nigeria; first child of Prof Akin Mabogunje and Chairman of the Prof Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje {PALM} Foundation.
She recalled fond memories of her father, his landmarks in the pursuit of development and nation building as well as his milestones in Urbanization studies.
The PALM Foundation, according to Prof Ogunsola, is targeted at:
Ø Preserving Prof Mabogunje’s legacy of policy community development;
Ø Promoting scholarship (through lectures, prizes, scholarships and journal)
Ø Curating digital and physical repository of his works;
Ø Fostering networks of scholars, policymakers and practitioners as well as;
Ø Inspiring the kind of thoughtful leadership which Prof. Akin Mabogunje epitomized.
PALM Foundation Board of Trustees & Technical Advisory Council
Members of the Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje (PALM) Foundation Board of Trustees are:
| Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS | Chairman |
| Engineer Oluseun Mabogunje | Member |
| Dr. Adegboyega Mabogunje | Member |
| Mrs. Adebimpe Oye | Honorary Secretary |
| Pastor Olusola Mabogunje | Member |
The Technical Advisory Council of the Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje (PALM) Foundation Board is made up of:
| Mr Wole Okunfulure | Chairman |
| Professor Demola Omojola | Member |
| Professor Iyiola Oni | Member |
| Professor Alabi Soneye | Member |
| Dr Yemi Adamolekun | Member |
| Professor Ibidun Adelekan | Member |
| Professor Abubakar Sanni Mashi | Member |
Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje
Born on October 18, 1931; Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje holds a place in history as Africa’s first Professor of Geography, a feat he attained at the age of 34 having joined the Department of Geography, University of Ibadan as the first African member.
He is the first African foreign honorary associate of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017), the first African scholar to be elected as an International Member of the United States National Academy of Sciences and former President, International Geographical Union among several other reputation positions. He breathed his last on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the age of 90+ and would have clocked 94 on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Ayo Oloyede
One Response
I heard about him and read some of his books when I was an undergraduate. A very good writer indeed! Wishing his family all the best.