Nigeria’s academic community is mourning the death of Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, the country’s first Professor of Linguistics and one of Africa’s foremost scholars of language, who died on Saturday, 25 July 2026, at the age of 94.
Professor Bamgbose reportedly died in Ibadan after a brief illness, bringing to a close a distinguished academic career that spanned more than six decades and left an enduring impact on linguistics, language policy and African language studies.
A renowned authority on the Yoruba language, Bamgbose was widely celebrated for pioneering linguistic scholarship in Nigeria and for advancing the study of indigenous African languages both nationally and internationally. His research and publications shaped generations of scholars and helped establish linguistics as a respected academic discipline across the continent.
Born in 1932, Bamgbose received his early education at St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, before proceeding to the University of Edinburgh, where he earned a doctorate with research on the structural classification of Modern Yoruba.
He joined the University of Ibadan in 1963 and rose rapidly through the academic ranks, becoming Nigeria’s first Professor of Linguistics at the age of 36. His contributions to teaching, research and institutional development earned him the title of Professor Emeritus in 1994. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Head of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages at the University of Ibadan.
Beyond his work at the University of Ibadan, Bamgbose played a pivotal role in promoting linguistic scholarship across West Africa. He served as the pioneer Secretary-Treasurer of the West African Linguistics Society and contributed significantly to discussions on multilingualism, language planning and the preservation of African languages.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to scholarship, he was awarded the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 1990, one of the country’s highest honours for academic excellence.
According to family sources, the late professor’s health deteriorated after a minor accident at his residence a few days before his death. He was admitted to a private hospital in the Akobo area of Ibadan, where he later passed away on Saturday morning. News of his death was first announced by his son, Femi Bamgbose, before being confirmed by other members of the family.
Professor Bamgbose is survived by his children and extended family. He was predeceased by his wife, Adenike Bamgbose, a former teacher at Abadina Primary School, University of Ibadan, who died in 2006.
Tributes have continued to pour in from academics, former students and institutions across Nigeria and beyond, with many describing Professor Bamgbose as a pioneer whose scholarship transformed the study of African languages and whose legacy will continue to shape linguistic research for generations.
