Celebrating the life of
Professor (Sir) Matthew Idowu Ajibero (KSM)
Rector
BIOGRAPHY
Prof’s life
Professor Matthew Idowu Ajibero was born in Bakolarabi, Jos to Prince Chief Obamupin Ajibero and Princess Mary Adeyemi Ajibero on 21st September, 1950. His grandfather was Obadofin Okejejipapo, the son of Obadofin Babaoloko, Omosho of Ogbagi clan from the Odolu Ruling group. While his mother was the daughter of Obaro Ole Akikon, from the Ilajo clan of the Kabba Ruling group. By this, Professor Ajibero was proud to call himself a Prince from both paternal and maternal lineages.
In 1957, the Ajibero family moved from Jos to Kabba and later settled in Gbeleko. However, in 1960, shortly after this move, Prince Obamupin Ajibero was called to glory. The demise of his father necessitated that the young Mattew Ajibero returned to Kabba to learn brick-laying while residing with his mother’s cousin. In late 1962, he was hit with the devastating loss of his mother, and so he had to move in with his uncle, Chief Oba Paul Oseya. This move was a significant turning point in young Mattew’s life as Baba Oseya detested the idea of such a brilliant boy toiling on the farm or learning a trade. Instead, Baba Oseya promised to send him to school.
With the help of his son, Michael Durotimi Oseya who put pressure on Baba to fulfil his promise, Matthew started his primary school education in January 1964 at St. Mary’s Primary school, Kabba. He attained several feats at St. Mary’s, some of the most memorable accolades include his excellent performance in all examinations, double promotion from primary 2 to primary 4, appointment as pioneer Junior Primary Prefect and Assistant School Prefect and recipient of Best Graduating Student Award in the whole of Kabba, and Okun land at large.
In 1969, he was admitted into the St. Clement Minor Seminary Lokoja. He spent three years there before resuming Form Four at St. Theresa Catholic Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, Ibadan. At both seminaries, he distinguished himself academically and morally. He was top of his class in many subjects and graduated as the best student at St. Theresa Minor Seminary. His prowess extended beyond the classroom as he served as Deputy School Prefect of the Seminary and was the leader of the drama and debate societies. Upon graduation, Mattew Ajibero was offered admission into SS. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan; however, he declined the offer and chose to further his education elsewhere. While his decision came as a shock to the Bishop and Priests who mentored him, they fully respected and accepted his wishes.
In January 1974, Mattew left Ibadan and moved to Kaduna where he stayed with Late Mr. Matthew Kayode Amodu. Whilst there, he wrote his O’Levels and A’Levels examinations and passed in flying colours. In addition, this period saw him secure his first job at the Federal Office of Statistics in Sokoto. Armed with the requisite grades, he applied to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the University of Ibadan (UI) to study Library Science and Political Science respectively. In 1975, even before the university admission was released, he was offered the Federal Scholarship to study Library Science. Although he was offered admission into ABU and UI, he opted to study at the former. He graduated in the Second Class Upper category in 1978. Among his colleagues at ABU were Professors Felix Ekere, Mrs. Comfort Ekpo, Michael Ochogwu, among others.
In late 1978, he was posted to Kano for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment and did his primary assignment with Bayero University Kano (BUK). He was initially posted to the university library before being redeployed to the young Department of Library Science to teach the Diploma students. This redeployment was at the instance of Dr. Halid Said, the university Librarian, who observed the academic brilliance of Mattew Ajibero and felt he would do better as a university lecturer. On 29th June 1979, he was offered the position of Graduate Assistant and became the first Nigerian staff in the Department of Library Science; others were Indians and Ghanaians.
His diligence as Graduate Assistant opened further doors for him such that in 1980, he was offered admission into a Masters degree programme at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. He left for the USA in August 1980 with his colleagues Prof. Attahiru Jega and Prof. Yadudu amongst others. Based on his outstanding performance on the Masters programme, he was offered provisional admission into the doctoral programme at Pittsburgh even before obtaining his Master’s degree. He obtained his Masters Degree in Library Science in 1981 and his PhD in 1983. He graduated with distinctions in the five (5) areas of Library Science, earning him recognition as the third student to achieve that feat since the establishment of the PhD programme. He defended his proposal in November, 1982 and less than one year after, he defended his PhD thesis, completing the programme in two years and two months, again, one of the fastest in the history of PhD programme in the school. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Mattew Ajibero was appointed the leader of over 3000 international students. He represented the international students at the university affirmative action committee until February 1984.
In April 1984, he returned to BUK to commence what he called his “proper teaching career”. By early 1988, all the expatriate senior lecturers in the Department of Library Science had left, and Dr. Ajibero was appointed the Acting Head of Department. He occupied the position of Head of Department for ten years at the insistence of his colleagues before he voluntarily stepped down in 1998. He earned his Professorial Chair in Library Science on 1st October, 1995. In 1999, he was appointed the Director of School of General Studies, BUK, and by this appointment, became a member of the Committee of Deans and Directors and a Management staff.
On 11th February 2002, Professor Ajibero was appointed University Librarian, University of Ilorin. As the first Professor to assume the role at the university, he brought dignity to the office and transformed the entire University of Ilorin Library system. He served in that capacity until 2006 when he was appointed Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja. As Rector, Professor Ajibero remained one of the longest-serving Heads of the institution. He showcased to the admiration of staff and students his rich managerial skills, financial prudence and integrity. He transformed the academic and physical landscape of the institution and attracted, using his goodwill, many developmental projects to the institution. On completion of his tenure in 2014, Professor Ajibero was appointed the Special Adviser to the Kogi State Government on Higher Education, a position he occupied before returning to the University of Ilorin as Professor of Library and Information Science. He retired from the services of the University in 2018.
He was a member of numerous professional associations, including among others, Fellow of the Nigerian Library Association (FNLA), American Library Association, Professors World Peace Academy of Nigeria, National Association of Library and Information Science Educators and Standing Conference of African University Libraries Western Area. His contributions and accomplishments in all the fields he traversed at home and abroad include:
2018 Award of Excellence by Kogi Forum, University of Ilorin
2018 Award of Excellence by Ibadan Metropolitan Council of Knights of St. Mulumba.
2016 Award of Excellence in Education by Kogi State Government on the occasion of 25th Year Anniversary of the creation of Kogi State.
2013 Merit Award by Catholic Men Organization of Catholic Diocese of Lokoja
2012 Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award by the All-African Students Union
2012 Award of Excellence by Kabba Student Union (National)
2011 Merit Award by Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi State Council
2011 Award of Excellence by Association of Northern Nigerian Students.
2011 Award of Excellence Performance by Rotaract Club of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, District 9125 of Rotary International.
2010 Admitted to NANS Nigeria at 50 Hall of Fame.
2004 Merit Award by OLUKU (The Friends) of service of Oweland
1996 Cited in Marquis Who is Who in Science and Engineering
1991 Cited in Africa Directory of Library and Information Science Professionals.
1988 Cited in North America Directory of Library and Information Science Professionals.
Professor Ajibero met his beautiful, amiable wife, Mrs. Grace Bose Ajibero (nee Oye) in 1976. They were joined in holy matrimony on April 7th, 1980 and remained happily married for forty-one (41) years. Mrs. Grace Ajibero was a nurse and later switched career to the Nigerian Customs Service where she retired in 2018 as an Assistant Comptroller. Their marriage is blessed with four sons, three daughters-in-law and five grandchildren: John Babaniyi (happily married to Iye Ajibero, with two lovely sons: Akinloluwa and Ifeloluwa); Matthew Adeyemi (happily married to Tosin Kemi, with two lovely sons: Oluwatimilehin and Adetola), Oluwafemi Peter (happily married to Maria Oluwakemi, with a princess: Oluwalonimi Grace) and Oluwakayode James. His family is a testament to the true spirit of Catholicism, a faith he accepted as a young primary school pupil through Baba Oseya. From that little age, the young Ajibero had learnt and memorised the Latin prayers and hymns. He later became a mass server before his journey to the Seminary. He was always punctual at every mass, including the early morning mass, which he never missed until his last few days on earth. His love for humanity and the Catholic Church also manifested in his embrace of the Knighthood (Knights of the Order of St. Mulumba (KSM) of the Catholic Church) in 1990. Before his death, Professor Ajibero attained the 4th Degree of the Order, became the Metropolitan Grand Knight (MGK) of the Ibadan Metropolitan Council in 2017 and Chairman of the Forum of MGKs of the nine Metropolitan Councils in Nigeria.
Professor Ajibero was a consummate workaholic, human developer, community mobiliser and leader, voracious and selfless giver, lover and friend of the poor, unencumbered by his enviable social status, generous and kind-hearted, Servant of God, often described as a Priest without a Cassock. His wise counsels were as holy as his gentle voice. His life symbolised the true essence of living. He epitomised the great Samaritan spirit of being a brother’s keeper. For his selflessness, he inspired, invested in and encouraged the younger ones to surpass him in their chosen endeavours. He did not only serve God, he saw to the well-being of all and sundry. He used his God-given positions to alleviate the plights of the down-trodden. He provided employment and other social security benefits for many and lifted souls from the pangs of hunger and misery. In all these, Professor Ajibero was not given to sanctimonious praise. He preferred to do these as a covenant between him and his God.
As the legend goes home, may the angels welcome his soul into paradise. No doubt, our loss is heaven’s gain.
Review questions about Professor Matthew Idowu Ajibero
What is professor Matthew full name?
Where was professor Matthew Idowu Ajibero born?
What is Professor Matthew Idowu Ajibero father?
