“Distinguished” Professor Amidu Olamilekan Sanni – The First Distinguished Professor of Arabic in Africa.
He was one of the academic luminaries recognized by the Ibadan Islamic Scholars Forum on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the University of Ibadan. His name is synonymous with achievements that break records. Here’s a brief overview of his numerous and voluminous accomplishments.
Early Life and Education
– Born in Ibadan to the Aduloju family , Omiyale.
– Son of Al-Marhum As-Shaykh Yusuff Sanni Imoyale – The founder of Nahdotul ‘Arabiyyah Al-‘āliyah, Elekuro, Ibadan, from whom he received his Arabic and Islamic Education.
– Started primary education at Olubadan Primary School, Aperin in 1965
– Graduated with Grade One at WASCE from Ahmadiyya Grammar School, Eleiyele Ibadan in 1975
Academic Achievements
– First Class in Arabic Language & Literature at the University of Ibadan (1980) with the highest CGPA
– Best First Class student in the Faculty of Arts
– PhD in Literary Theory and Criticism at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (1989)
– First African Graduate student to publish in the prestigious Bulletin of the School (1989)
– First Nigerian to publish in Great Britain’s leading academic journal on Arabic/Islamic Studies
Awards and Fellowships
– First academic staff of LASU to win the British Commonwealth Scholarship (1986)
– Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (1994) – the first LASU academic to receive this honor
– Scaliger Fellowship Award of the University of Leiden-Netherlands (2003) – another first for LASU
– Chevening Academic Fellowship at Oxford (2013) – further cementing his reputation as a leading researcher
Academic and Administrative Experience
– Professor of Arabic at Lagos State University (LASU)
– First Distinguished Professor of Arabic in Africa
– Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo (2018-2023)
– leading the institution to global visibility and ranking
– Dean of Students Affairs, Faculty of Arts, and Senate representative on the University Governing Council at LASU
Research and Publications
– Over 232 publications, including books, chapters, articles, and conference proceedings
– 24-volume work on Friday sermons, homilies, and occasional exhortations
– First Nigerian Arabist to publish in the German Oriental Monograph Series, Beiruter Texten und Studien (BTS)
– Editorial board member of several prestigious journals, including the Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education – the only West African member
Leadership and Community Engagement
– He has been the Chief Imam of LASU since its inception until his recent retirement.
– Chairman, BOT, University of London SOAS Alumni Association of Nigeria
– Chairman, Coronation Lecture Committee for the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland
– Consultant to the National Assembly House of Reps Committee on Students Loans, Scholarships & Higher Education Financing (CSLSHEF)
Notable Achievements
– Led Fountain University, Osogbo to global visibility and ranking as the 32nd best university in Nigeria (2024)
– Facilitated donations and collaborations worth millions of Naira to LASU and other institutions
– Given over 120 invitational lectures at various institutions Worldwide. Examples include, a Guest Speaker at US universities in Houston, Chicago, Florida, and Illinois. Since 2023, he has been a member of the Cambridge Higher Education Panel and was a guest speaker at the 2024 Carnegie-University of Texas Regional Meeting.
– He has mentored many students, some of whom are now professors, including Professors O. K. Amuni, M. S. Animashaun, and Nosiru Olajide Onibon all of LASU, and Professor Morufudeen Adeniyi Shittu, the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Education.