OAU Recognises LAUTECH VC Kalilu's Impact in Art, Academia

Professor Razaq Kalilu, the current Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, recently received a significant commendation from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. This honour acknowledges his profound impact in the realms of art, academic scholarship, and leadership. The recognition occurred during the Distinguished (Special) Alumni Lecture and Reunion, an event orchestrated by OAU's Faculty of Environmental Design and Management on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Hosted at the university's renowned Oduduwa Hall, the gathering formed part of OAU's ongoing 65th-anniversary celebrations.

A press release from the LAUTECH Public and Alumni Relations Unit confirmed that the ceremony included the presentation of Awards of Excellence to Professor Kalilu and other accomplished alumni. Among those also recognised were Bode Adediji, who served as the event's chairman, and the celebrated sculptor, Dotun Popoola. Professor Adebayo Bamire, the OAU Vice-Chancellor and chief host, was unable to attend and was represented by Professor Ganiyu Aderounmu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Professor Babasehinde Ademuleya, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, acted as the direct host for the programme.

Further highlights of the occasion included a special lecture delivered by OAU alumnus, Boluwaji Alabi, titled “OAU at 65: The Impact of EDM Alumni on Nigeria’s Real Estate and Built Environment Leadership.” Additionally, a comprehensive compendium showcasing the alumni of the Environmental Design and Management faculty was officially launched.

Professor Kalilu, attending with a delegation of senior LAUTECH staff including Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management and Operations, Professor Tunde Ogunkunle, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development and Partnerships, Professor Lukman Sunmonu, accepted the Award of Excellence. This prestigious award, presented by the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, acknowledged his distinguished status as an alumnus. The faculty specifically lauded his significant academic accomplishments and exemplary leadership, underscoring his extensive contributions to art education, research initiatives, and broader academic advancement.

The faculty’s official citation lauded Professor Kalilu’s career trajectory as “extensive and phenomenal,” pointing out his remarkable 27 years of experience as a professor. He was further celebrated as a polymathic and exceptional scholar, specifically for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of art and art education.

According to the faculty, Professor Kalilu holds the distinction of being the first to author a book examining cultism within Nigerian university campuses. He is also credited with establishing Nigeria’s inaugural Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree programme in Fine and Applied Arts. Furthermore, he pioneered the development of Nigeria’s first postgraduate curricula for Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Technology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Fine Art and Applied Art, incorporating advanced specialisations such as Electronic and Digital Art, and Form and Material Technology.

The citation also highlighted Professor Kalilu’s role in mentoring Nigeria’s first hearing-impaired Art Historian. His academic mentorship also resulted in the production of Nigeria’s first Master of Technology degrees in Fine Art, specifically in Drawing, and in Applied Art, with a focus on Communication Design.

The LAUTECH Vice-Chancellor was further praised by the faculty for overseeing Nigeria’s first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates in Fine Art, specializing in Environmental and Industrial Sculpture, and in Applied Art, with a focus on Ceramics and Glass. Notably, he also produced the world's first Doctor of Philosophy in Form and Material Technology within the Fine Art discipline.

Additionally, the citation mentioned that Professor Kalilu supervised Nigeria’s first Military Artist to achieve a Doctor of Philosophy degree. In 2018, he also played a pivotal role in the emergence of LAUTECH’s first Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture Science and Technology.

The faculty underscored Professor Kalilu's extensive supervisory record, stating that he has “both supervised and examined 165 postgraduate students across diverse specialisations, including 44 PhDs.”

Regarding his administrative journey, the faculty characterized his leadership as “intense, integrous and ambidextrous.” His impressive career path includes roles as Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor, and currently, Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH.

Professor Kalilu’s decorated career extends to numerous other accolades, such as the Gold Medal won in the 1978–1979 All Africa Painting Contest, a Merit Prize from the International Postage Stamp Design Contest, the Outstanding People of the 20th Century Outstanding Achievement Medal, and the Distinguished and Exceptional Universal Award of Accomplishment. His global recognition includes being named among the 500 Leaders of World Influence by the American Biographical Institute. Furthermore, he holds the esteemed titles of Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists and Justice of the Peace.