Professor Oladipo Jacob Ajiboye has examined the application of interwoven morphological and syntactic strategies in expressing plurality across three unrelated languages, highlighting the theoretical and practical relevance of cross-linguistic analysis in linguistic scholarship.
He delivered the lecture, titled “From Theory to Practice: Number Marking in Three Unrelated Languages with Interwoven Strategies”, at the Faculty of Arts Lecture Theatre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as part of activities marking his formal exit from the University.
Vice-Chancellor Commends Ajiboye’s Academic Contributions
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Muyiwa Falaiye, commended Professor Ajiboye for his outstanding contributions to scholarship and institutional development.
He noted that the Professor had distinguished himself through sustained academic engagement, pioneering research, intellectual mentorship and service to the University, leaving behind an enduring legacy.
He also acknowledged Ajiboye’s contributions to advancing the University’s Future-Ready agenda and strengthening its visibility within local and international academic communities.
According to him, the Vice-Chancellor recognised the depth and substance of Professor Ajiboye’s contributions to academia and expressed appreciation for his service to the institution.
HOD Celebrates Ajiboye’s Distinguished Academic Legacy
In her welcome address, the Head of the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, Associate Professor Titilayo Ojo, described the department as an intellectual space where language, culture, thought and humanity converge beyond disciplinary boundaries.
She explained that the Exaugural Lecture was more than a farewell ceremony, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate a distinguished record of service and benefit from the reflections of a fulfilled scholar.
Ojo further described the occasion as an expression of academic hospitality and reciprocal recognition, noting that while Professor Ajiboye found an institutional home at the University of Lagos, he equally enriched the institution through his scholarship and contributions to its academic community.
Dean Highlights Ajiboye’s Contributions to African Scholarship
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Akanbi Mudashiru Ilupeju, also paid tribute to the Exaugural Lecturer, describing his academic career as one characterised by a sustained commitment to understanding and documenting the intricate structures of indigenous languages.
Reflecting on Ajiboye’s career at UNILAG and his collaborations with international scholars, Ilupeju described him as an exemplar of African scholarship.
He highlighted the Professor’s contributions to research, mentorship and institutional leadership, noting that these had earned him a lasting place in the academic community.
Ajiboye Explains Plural Marking Across Three Languages
Delivering the lecture, Professor Ajiboye focused on plural marking, a grammatical process through which languages indicate plurality or the presence of more than one entity, particularly in nouns and, in some cases, through grammatical relationships between nominal elements and their predicates.
He explained that, from a cross-linguistic perspective, languages employ two principal approaches to plural marking: morphological and syntactic strategies.
The presentation demonstrated how these approaches operate across three unrelated languages, illustrating the ways in which different linguistic systems employ interconnected grammatical resources to express number.
By examining these strategies, the lecture underscored the relevance of linguistic theory to the practical analysis and understanding of language structures across different linguistic communities.
Professor Ajiboye Unveils Book on Linguistics and African Culture
A major highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of a book by the Exaugural Lecturer, titled Interwoven Voices: Celebrating the Rich Tapestry of Linguistics, African Languages, Literature and Culture.
The publication reflects Professor Ajiboye’s intellectual interests, academic philosophy and research journey. It also provides insights into the experiences, scholarly engagements and ideas that have shaped his career and contributions to linguistics, African languages, literature and culture.
The book unveiling added a literary and scholarly dimension to the occasion, further celebrating the academic legacy of a scholar whose career has been devoted to research, teaching and the advancement of linguistic knowledge.
Report: Akinola Afolabi
Photograph: Samuel Dosumu
