Balogun, UNILORIN ex-DVC, loses wife
…. Egbewole pays condolence visit
By Abubakar Imam and Isaac Lewu
The death has been announced of a retired Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Ilorin, Elizabeth Abidemi Balogun.
Prof. Balogun, who died last Monday (June 8, 2026) at the age of 72, was the wife of a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Ilorin and 4th Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun.
The late Prof. Balogun also served at FUNAAB’s Department of Biochemistry, where she contributed immensely to the advancement of Biochemical Sciences. Her research expertise was in Biochemical Toxicology and Phytomedicine, with particular focus on antimalarial drug development. Her scholarly works and mentorship impacted numerous students and researchers within and beyond Nigeria.
During her academic career, the late Prof. Balogun held several leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, and Head of the Department of Biochemistry. She was a Fellow of the Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology and the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which reflected her outstanding contributions to the scientific community and humanity at large.
Reacting to the development, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has expressed profound sadness on the death of Prof. Balogun.
In a statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, the Vice Chancellor said that the death of the renowned scientist was devastating, particularly as it occurred at a time the better by far University was still mourning the demise of its 9th Vice Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON.
Prof. Egbewole sympathised with her husband, Prof. Balogun and the rest of his family as well as her friends, colleagues and associates.
The Vice Chancellor urged Prof. Balogun and other members of the bereaved Family to take solace in the fact that the deceased’s lived a life worthy of emulation not just as a scholar but also in the vineyard of God.
Prof. Egbewole assured the family of the deceased that the University of Ilorin, which the deceased served for so many years, would stand with them at this trying moment as he also prayed to God to rest her soul in perfect peace.
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has also expressed sadness over the demise of the renowned academic.
A statement signed on his behalf by the Ag. Head of the Directorate of Public Relations of FUNAAB, Mr Olasunkanmi Olajide, said that the late Prof. Balogun was an accomplished scholar, devoted Christian, loving mother, and a woman whose life was marked by excellence, humility, and service to humanity.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the contributions of the late Prof. Balogun to the growth of higher education, scientific research, and the development of young scholars would remain indelible. He noted that the University Community shares in the grief of the husband of the deceased, Prof. Balogun and the entire family during this difficult period.
Prof. Kehinde prayed that God would grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant the departed eternal rest.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, last Tuesday(June 9, 2026) led members of the University management team on a condolence visit to the family of the late Prof. Balogun at her residence in Tanke area of ilorin.
Consoling the husband of the deceased, Prof. O. O. Balogun, the Vice Chancellor described the late scholar as an exceptional academic whose life was dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the development of humanity, adding that her passing had created a vacuum not only in the University of Ilorin but also in the wider academic community.
Prof. Egbewole noted that the late Prof. Balogun distinguished herself through her commitment to excellence, integrity and selfless service, noting that her remarkable achievements in biochemical toxicology and phytomedicine, particularly in antimalarial research, would continue to inspire generations of scholars.
The Vice Chancellor recalled the various leadership positions held by the deceased, including Head of the Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry as well as Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences. He said her contributions to the growth and development of the University would remain indelible.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Olalere Adeyemi later led a prayer session for the repose of the soul of the late Prof. Balogun, asking God to grant her eternal rest and reward her for living a life devoted to scholarship and service
Other members of the delegation were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Odunola- Bakare; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukthar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal; and the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa.
