It is still unclear the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased, but multiple sources confirmed to this newspaper that the aged scholar had been weak and unable to attend public events for months.

Mr Banjo, who has served within Nigeria’s education sector in various capacities, marked his 90th birthday on 2 May.

Since his service to the University of Ibadan, first as acting vice-chancellor between November 1983 and November 1984 and as substantive vice-chancellor between December 1984 and November 1991, his last public office was as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Rip to the seasoned scholar