New Heads have emerged for three Departments in the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, as the Dean, Professor Rasheed Olaniyi, commended staff and students for sustaining academic excellence, research, and community service across the Faculty.

Professor Olaniyi spoke in Ibadan while marking the transition of power in the Departments of Communication and Language Arts, Classical Studies, and Theatre Arts, following the completion of the former officeholders' tenure on July 30, 2026.

Dr Bisi Olawuyi, a Public Relations expert and speech communication scholar, completed his two year term as Acting Head of Communication and Language Arts, handing over to Professor Babatunde Ojebuyi, a Professor of Applied Communication and Media Studies. Dr Babatunde Awonsami is taking over leadership of Theatre Arts, succeeding Dr Abimbola Stephen Adesina, who held the position in an acting capacity.

Meanwhile, Professor Monica Aneni has assumed duty as Head of the Department of Classics, succeeding Professor of African Literature, Emmanuel Taiwo. Professor Aneni, who joined the Department in 2007, specialises in Health and Mortality Discourse, Ancient Strategic Studies, Classical History, and Latin Epigraphy.

The Dean commended the three Departments for ensuring a smooth handover and sustaining a collaborative working environment. "In the last year, I have seen the departments in the faculty do well, and I am particularly impressed with the development and seamless transition that took place in the three departments," he stated.

He praised the Department of Communication and Language Arts for the progress made under Dr Olawuyi, particularly in expanding learning resources and improving facilities, noting that alumni and University support had boosted the Department's capacity. He also described Professor Aneni and Professor Ojebuyi as being among the Faculty's recently promoted professors, while noting continued improvement in the Department of Theatre Arts.

Professor Olaniyi further thanked the outgoing Sub Dean Postgraduate, Dr Adams Akewula, and Sub Dean General, Olugbemiro Berekiah, who have been succeeded by Dr Oluwatoyin Gbadamosi of the Department of Religious Studies and Dr Francis Amenaghawon of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, respectively. He expressed confidence that the new Heads and Sub Deans would build on their predecessors' achievements.