Tunji Oladejo
I have been incredibly busy lately, but I could not miss the opportunity to celebrate Prof. Lucas, a true scholar, on his remarkable 80th birthday. He truly deserves this milestone celebration! To mark this special occasion, I have declared a two-week celebration, symbolically dividing his 80 years into two halves of 40 years each. These two periods represent his dedication to the glory of God and his selfless service to humanity.
In celebrating Professor Ephraim Olabode Olusegun Lucas’ life and accomplishments, we are reminded of the enormous impact one person can have on society. Professor Lucas’ academic trajectory demonstrates his tenacity and enthusiasm for learning.
Affectionately addressed as Bode, he was born on 27 February, 1945, into a family with a strong academic legacy. His father, the late Chief Ebenezer Olugeshin Lucas, was a pioneer educationist who founded Ilesa Grammar School in 1934. Chief Lucas’ contributions to education were recognised with the esteemed title of Bajulaiye of Erin-Ijesha in 1964. Professor Lucas’ mother, Mrs. Felicia O. Lucas, was a successful trader who passed on in 2009, leaving behind a lasting impact on her family.
His academic achievements are matched only by his impressive career, which spans over four decades. He was educated at the following institutions: St. John’s Primary School, Iloro, Ilesa (1950-1957), Ilesa Grammar School (1958-1962), Federal School of Science, Onikan, Lagos (1963-1966), University of Ibadan, Ibadan (1966-1969), Wye College (University of London), where he obtained M.Sc. (1972) and Ph.D. (1975) in Crop Physiology (Agronomy) and the University of Wisconsin, USA, where he obtained a certificate in Agricultural Cooperatives in 1982.
Throughout his illustrious academic career, he received numerous prestigious scholarships, prizes and honours, including Cocoa Marketing Board Scholarship at the University of Ibadan (1966-1969); In-Service Training Fellowship (NIFOR) at the Wye College (University of London) from 1971 to 1975; International Atomic Energy Vienna Fellowship at the University of Western Australia (1987); and Research Associate in the Department of Crop Science at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (1988-1989).
His distinguished career spans several prestigious institutions, including the Ministry of Lagos Affairs, the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), and the University of Ibadan, where he rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Agronomy. Additionally, he served as a visiting Professor at the University of Fort Hare in Alice, South Africa, from 1999 to 2001.
Also, he served as a Consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rural Development (1981) and Sustainable Agriculture (1993).
His expertise has also been sought as an External Examiner for numerous universities in Nigeria and abroad. In addition, his expertise in Agronomy has been recognised globally, with numerous publications in local and international journals
Professor Lucas had a profound impact on the academic community, supervising 14 Ph.D students and notably, produced the first female Ph.D. holder in Agronomy in Southern Africa, paving the way for future generations of women in Agriculture.
This quintessential academic is a distinguished member of various prestigious learned societies, including Agriculture Society of Nigeria, Institute of Biology and American Society of Institute of Biology and American Society of Agronomy.These memberships underscore his commitment to academic excellence and his contribution to the fields of Agriculture and Biology.
Between 1984 and 2007, Prof. Lucas demonstrated his commitment to academia and governance through various public service appointments. Here are the key roles he played during this period:
Chairmanship Roles
Chairman, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan Practical Training Programme (1984-1986); and Chairman, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Consultancy Committee (1988-1992).
Leadership Positions
President, University of Ibadan Staff Club (1990-1992); Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan (1992-1994); Dean, Postgraduate School (1994-1995) and Head of the Department of Agronomy (2002-2005).
Membership Roles
Member of the Joint Council/Senate Committee on the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (1991); Member of University of Ibadan Senate (1983-2010); Member of the Appointments & Promotion Committee, University of Ibadan (1990-1998) and Member of the Governing Council, University of Ibadan Governing (2003-2007).
Aside from his distinguished academic career, Professor Lucas is a prolific writer with a diverse range of publications. His notable works, include: 1. Sixty Landmarks (2008) – a publication marking the 60th anniversary of the University of Ibadan, co-edited with Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan and Mark Aken’Ova; 2. Split Image (2014) – a novel exploring themes of identity and social commentary; 3. Snapshots of National and International Affairs (2016) – a compilation of newspaper articles offering insightful analyses on local and global issues; 4. Iroye: Stories from Childhood (2019) – a collection of short stories reflecting on the author’s formative years; and 5. Dividends of Greed (2021) – a novel delving into the consequences of unchecked ambition and corruption.
Professor Lucas’ literary contributions demonstrate his versatility and commitment to storytelling, social critique and academic excellence. I have complimentary copies of these publications, courtesy of Professor Bode Lucas.
Despite his many achievements, Professor Lucas remains humble and committed to giving back to society.
His impact on education is excellent. The University of Ibadan community is grateful to him for his remarkable contributions to education. Even in retirement, Professor Lucas continues to inspire and nurture academic excellence through his generous endowments. In 2010, Professor Lucas selflessly utilised his gratuity to establish two endowments totaling Two Million Naira. These endowments, which are awarded in perpetuity, demonstrate his commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. The first endowment, dedicated to the Postgraduate College, provides an annual award of N100,000 to the producer of the best thesis in the University. This award not only recognises outstanding research but also encourages postgraduate students to strive for excellence. The second endowment, established at the Faculty of Agriculture, comprises two annual awards: the Best Final Year Student award and the Best Practical Year Student award, each receiving N50,000. These awards motivate undergraduate students to excel in their academic pursuits and practical applications. His endowments embody his dedication to education and his desire to empower future generations. His legacy serves as a shining example of the impact one individual can have on the academic community. As I acknowledge Professor Lucas’ remarkable contributions, I also celebrate the students who have benefited and will continue to benefit from his endowments. The University of Ibadan and the academic community at large are grateful for Professor Lucas’ enduring legacy. His endowments will continue to inspire and reward outstanding academic achievements for many generations.
His legacy serves as an inspiration to future generations of academics, researchers and public servants.
In celebrating this visionary academic, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Postgraduate College, University of Ibadan, proudly celebrated the 80th birthday of the quintessential academic, This momentous occasion was marked with an interdisciplinary discourse, featuring a keynote lecture titled, “Integrating the Past with the Present for Efficient Administration of the University System” delivered by the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, FAS. The event also included a panel discussion on “Leveraging Technology to Transform Postgraduate Education in Africa,” featuring distinguished Professors from the University of Ibadan: Francis Egbokhare, FNAL, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Segun Ajiboye, MNAE, FAPPRA, Department of Arts and Social Science Education and Aina Adeogun, Department of Zoology.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, mni, FAS, presided over the event, while the Provost of the Postgraduate College, Professor A. S.O. Ogunjuyigbe, was the host. The event was to honour Professor Lucas’ life achievements, profound impact on academia, society and celebrate his transformative power of dedication, hard work and visionary leadership.
I have had the privilege of experiencing Prof Lucas’ extraordinary humility firsthand. He relates with people of all ages with remarkable warmth and equality as if they were lifelong friends. His exceptional social skills have earned him a reputation of a remarkable socialite.
One instance that stands out in my mind is when he addressed me with his characteristic warmth, saying, “Director, you are my friend’. I was deeply touched when he took the time to write a heartfelt message on my 60th birthday, on Wednesday, 19 February, 2025, “Director, happy birthday to you. Since I have known you as a media expert, I have been impressed by your professionalism. You’ve been an asset to our community, celebrating many individuals and bringing joy to others. May God celebrate you too. I wish you a long, healthy life, filled with continued productivity and service to God and humanity. Enjoy your special day”.
I am truly grateful for his kind words and do not take his thoughtfulness for granted.
Finally, Professor Ephraim Olabode Olusegun Lucas is a shining example of academic excellence, public service and community development. His contributions to Nigeria and the global academic community are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us for generations to come.
Happy happy 80th birthday, Sir. Enjoy your years ahead as usual in the sunshine of life, Sir. Cheers!
Tunji Oladejo writes from the University of Ibadan via oladejo65@gmail.com
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