By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Governing Council of the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo has appointed Dr Olatundun Oyewumi as the substantive pioneer University Librarian for the University.
Her appointment, according to her letter of appointment signed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Ayoade Ogunkunle, takes effect from July 1, 2024 for a 5-year term.
Dr Oyewumi, a seasoned academic, librarian, technocrat and administrator was born on May 7, 1966 in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. She attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between 1984-1988 where she bagged a B.A (Hons.) in Music and obtained a Diploma in Electronic Data Processing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso between 1993 – 1994.
In her thirst to pursue a career in Library Studies, she started her Master’s Degree in Library Studies at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1994 and graduated in 1996. She capped it up with a Ph.D in Library Studies between 2000–2013 from the same premier University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
The Ogbomoso-born Librarian, who until her appointment was the College Librarian at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Oyo started her career during her National Youth Service as a Music Tutor at the Cherubim and Seraphim College, Ilorin, Kwara State in 1988 – 1989.
She was appointed by the Oyo State Ministry of Education as a Graduate Tutor teaching Music and Literature at Ogbomoso Grammar School, Ogbomoso between March, 1990 -1992. She secured appointment at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso as a Librarian-in-Training in 1992; Librarian II – 1997; Librarian I – 1999; Senior Librarian- 2002; Principal Librarian- 2006 and was pronounced a Deputy Librarian in 2011.
The renowned Librarian is a Member of The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) – NLA/02165; Member, Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) –01057; Member, The National Association of Women in Academics (NAWACS) and has published in many reputable journals. As a teacher of over three decades, she has attended many conferences both locally and internationally.
Dr Oyewumi who takes over from Dr Serifat Asiru who was the Acting University Librarian between 30 August, 2023 till June 30, 2024, is happily married and blessed with upwardly mobile children.
