Bowen University Appoints Prof Ojo As New VC

Professor Matthew Akintunde Ojo has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, by the university’s Senate. Ojo has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in English and Religious Studies, and Religious Studies respectively, from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, Osun State.

He proceeded to the University of London, United Kingdom where he was awarded a Ph. D Theology in 1987. He also has M.Sc. in Public Administration, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies. Professor Ojo started his teaching career at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State as a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies, rising through the ranks to become the head of department. He became the Vice Dean, Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife October 2000 to January 2002; Head of Department, Religious Studies from 2003 to 2007 and August 2010, a position which he held until his new appointment. He was also a member of the Senate, Obafemi Awolowo University from May 1990 to January 1997, and from 1998 till his new appointment; Co-ordinator, Department of Christian and Religious Studies, Oyo State College of Education, Oyo Campus November 1981 to September 1982. Ojo went beyong Nigeria in impacting knowledge; he was a Visiting Professor, Harvard Divinity school, Harvard University, Cambridge USA in July 2002; Head, Divinity Department, Rogent University College of Science and Technology, Accra Ghana,2007-2008 and April 2009;Zora Neale Hurston Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study & Research in the African Humanities Programme of African Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois UAS November to December 1994/1995 and Cadbury Visiting Fellow,Centre of African Studies, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, September to December 2006 among others. Ojo holds a membership of different academic and professional bodies such as; Member, Nigerian Association for the Study of Religion; Member, African Association for the Study of Religion; Member, African Theological Fellowship; Member American Association of Religion (USA); Member, African Studies Association (USA) among others. He has also headed and chaired many associations as well as served in several others in administrative and managerial capacities.