Scholars To Discuss Social Criticism In Olu Obafemi’s Works

Scholars from Nigerian and international universities will examine the role of creativity in social criticism at the fourth annual colloquium of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), scheduled for November 11, 2026.

The colloquium, themed “Creativity as Criticism in Olu Obafemi’s Works”, will hold at the university’s Multi-Purpose Hall, Felele Campus, Lokoja, Kogi State, from 12 noon as part of activities marking the institution’s 2026 convocation ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, will chair the event, which will explore how literature can interrogate societal issues, challenge established assumptions and stimulate critical thinking.

The programme is being organised by FUL in collaboration with its Department of English and Literary Studies and will be held in a hybrid format to accommodate both physical and virtual participation.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, said the colloquium was established to promote sustained intellectual engagement with the works and ideas of Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, a literary scholar, playwright, poet and recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit.

Ibileye traced the initiative to its inaugural edition in 2023, organised under his predecessor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, to examine Obafemi’s contributions to literature and scholarship beyond ceremonial tributes.

The second and third editions were held in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

According to Ibileye, the colloquium’s significance extends beyond his personal relationship with Obafemi, providing an opportunity to examine broader issues relating to artistic responsibility, education, power, justice, cultural identity and shared humanity.

He said this year’s theme would encourage scholars to examine creativity not only as the production of artistic works but also as a means of interpreting social experiences, exposing contradictions and questioning established ideas.

Expected paper presenters include Professor S. T. Babatunde and Dr Funke Aliyu of the University of Ilorin; Professor Sola Adeyemi of the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom; and Professor Ofure Aito of FUL.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour.

Other expected guests include the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole; the Vice-Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Professor Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu; the Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University, Kabba,  and the Vice-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Professor Solomon Ajayi Adebo.

The event is also expected to attract the President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Professor Andrew Haruna, and its Vice-President, Professor Sunday Enessi Ododo.

Others are the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi; the Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association, Dr Wale Okediran; the Chairman of the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG), Dr Adedapo Gbadega; and the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc Sonny Echono.