Oye Ibidapo-Obe Foundation for Educational Transformation
Oye Ibidapo-Obe Foundation for Educational Transformation is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that does not discriminate on the grounds of religion, ethnicity or gender, as its beneficiaries cut across such banal divides. The primary motive for setting up the foundation was to bequeath to the younger generation a legacy of qualitative education that would put them in good stead to contribute positively to the nation’s development. Being himself a beneficiary of good quality education, he Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe wanted to impact positively on the younger generation through educational promotion and support which took him to an enviable height in life. Of particular interest to him was concern for the less privileged members of the society who were disposed to learning but somewhat incapacitated by lack of funds or the enabling environment. He was also touched by the plight of orphans.
Our Vision
To be a leading provider of educational scholarships, bursaries, skill acquisition, mentorship and other funding support for the underprivileged but brilliant youths in the Nigerian society to enable them realize their full potentials in life, and also give assistance to the needy.
Our Mission
To give hope to the hopeless through funding of the education, health care and provision of other social services for the indigent and underprivileged members of the society.
Meet Our Founder
EMERITUS PROFESSOR OYEWUSI IBIDAPO-OBE
DOB: July 5th, 1949 - January 3rd, 2021
OFR, FAS, FAeng, FNIM, FASCE, FAAS, FTWAS
Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe was born on July 5, 1949 to the illustrious Ibidapo-Obe Family of Ilesa in Osun State. He started his education in 1954 at Tenidire Preparatory School, a model private nursery school at that time. There, his talent as a gifted child was first spotted, and he shone even brighter at Lagos Street African Church School, Ebute-Meta, in Lagos, in 1957 when his parents relocated from Ilesa to Lagos. But he had to return home in 1962 when he gained admission to Obokun High School (now Ilesa Grammar School), which was then renowned for having a 100% pass record in the Cambridge School Certificate Examination. His generous disposition and desire to make it big in life earned him the nickname “Rockefeller,” after the renowned John D. Rockefeller, the American business magnate and philanthropist. The nickname later stuck to him in later years of his life. On earning the School Certificate in 1966, he proceeded to the prestigious Igbobi College in Lagos, later that year, where he studied very hard and obtained his A Level papers in a record time. With his brilliant performance, he secured admission to all the frontline Nigerian universities of the time – Lagos, Ibadan, Nsukka, Ife, Ahmadu Bello, and even the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom. However, he opted for the University of Lagos, having earlier interacted with some of his friends who had gained admission to the school. There, he pursued his studies with greater vigor; and not only did he score a First Class in his course in Mathematics, he also emerged the best graduating student of the university in 1971. It was a glorious moment for Oye Ibidapo-Obe as he also bagged, to boot, all the prizes for the year, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for the Best Graduating Student, the Dean’s Prize, the Faculty Prize, NUPEMECO Prize, National School Fund Prize, and Birmingham Prize.
This outstanding performance at the University of Lagos earned Oye an appointment as a Graduate Assistant at the university in 1972, as well as a Commonwealth scholarship to study at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he obtained the Master’s degree (MSc) in Applied Mathematics, with a minor in Computer Science (1973), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering, with specialization in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976. That year, he was awarded the university’s Post-Doctoral Distinction Fellowship. The university honored him later in life with the Faculty of Engineering Alumni Achievement Medal, while his photograph now adorns the university’s Hall of Fame. Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe served meritoriously on several university committees and boards, including those of Appointments and Promotions, Endowment, Halls of Residence Management, Centre of Cultural Studies, Health Centre Management, Timetable, Tenders and Minor Contracts. His rising profile at the University of Lagos saw him emerge as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in April 2000; and, five months later, he was made the Acting Vice-Chancellor. He became the substantive Vice-Chancellor on May 1, 2002, a position he held till April 30, 2007, when he successfully completed his tenure as Vice-Chancellor. He envisaged, during his tenure as VC, a university that would ascend to the enviable height of the best tertiary institution in Nigeria, hence he crafted the slogan, “University of First Choice and The Nation’s Pride.”