Professor Ayo Akinwale, a prominent senior lecturer at Ilorin University , Department of Performing Arts, is dead. The professor had died at Ilorin Teaching Hospital University.

His death was reported by the university's Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, in a tweet.

He wrote,

 “TRANSITION TO HIGHER GLORY

“If life is not vanity upon vanity, then, what is it? Death is indeed wicked!

“With heavy heart and total submission to the will of the Almighty God, I announce the passing on to higher glory of Prof. Ayo Akinwale, of the Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin. He died today, the 13th September 2020 at the Unilorin Teaching Hospital.

“May the Almighty God comfort the family and all of us.”

A versatile producer, academician, playwright and former broadcaster, late Akinwale was the producer of a popular movie, ‘Sango’.

He was also the chairman of the founding board of Ilorin FM University.

Akinwale was born to Pa Akinwale's royal household in the ancient city of Ibadan, attending St. Lukes Demonstration School, Molete Ibadan, Oyo State, and then going to Methodist High School in Ibadan, where he was introduced to the theater arts.

In 1966, he acted as ‘Imodoye’ in a movie titled ‘Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmole,’ produced by one of his teachers and then moved to Molusi College in Ijebu Igbo, where he obtained his Senior School Leaving Certificate.

He proceeded to the University of Ibadan before commencing academic work as a lecturer at the Polytechnic Ibadan. He became the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Culture of the University of Ilorin, and he was also the chairman of Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture.

Prof Akinwale had written several books and articles on Theatre Arts in Nigeria. Some of his publications include; ‘From Compound Space, to the Living Stage’ Nigerian Theatre Journal. Vol. 2, No. 1. (1998); ‘Theatre and Democracy in Nigeria’ Nigerian Theatre Journal. Vol. 6, No. 1, ‘Nigerian Playright’; Zulu Sofola (2005); ‘The Nigerian Theatre and Economic Viability.’ Arts Administration in Contemporary Nigeria; The Nigeria Broadcaster’ Media Nigeria; ‘The Theatre and Nigeria’s New Democratic Environment: A Sociological Overview,’ and many more.

He won the Best Indigenous actor award at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards. He featured in quite a number of movies as an actor and producer; he has produced many home videos in Nigeria. He featured in movies such as; Sango, Ladepo Omo Adanwo, Clash of the Gods, Iranse Aje, Eti Keta among others.

Prof Akinwale’s contribution to the theatre and movie industry in Nigeria gave him the leverage of being assigned South-West Zonal Co-ordinator for the Abuja Carnivals, and also a judge for the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).