Happy 85th birthday to this amazing gift to humanity, Pastor of Pastors, Professor of Professors, a Professor Emeritus of the University of Ibadan, a highly cerebral intellectual, diplomat and a rare breed giver that could literally pluck out his eyes if the need be.
Many times, I am awed by your charming simplicity despite your rare achievements in life including your memorable leadership as permanent delegate and an ambassador of Nigeria to UNESCO from January 2000 to August 2009.
Even at 85, you are still going strong and being sought after across the globe yet your love for God and humanity has equally never diminished.
Your passion for rescuing the perishing souls is equally highly motivating. As you turn 85, I am only begging the God of Adeboye whom you serve so diligently in his infinite mercy to preserve you for many more years of impact and service to humanity.
We shall all gather around you to celebrate your centenary birthday in sound health and greater peace of mind.
Born on April 1, 1941, in Ipoti-Ekiti, Michael Abiola Omolewa has etched his name into Nigeria’s educational and diplomatic history as one of the nation’s most revered scholars and global representatives.
A professor of adult education at the University of Ibadan, Omolewa began his career with a deep commitment to expanding access to literacy and lifelong learning. He rose through academic ranks, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Education (1985–1987) and Head of the Department of Adult Education, where he guided Nigeria’s adult learning programs to global recognition. Under his leadership, the department won the UNESCO International Reading Association Literacy Prize in 1989 — a landmark achievement for Nigerian academia.
But Omolewa’s influence extended far beyond the university walls. From 2000 to 2009, he served as Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris, becoming the country’s chief education ambassador to the world.
In 2003, he was elected President of the UNESCO General Conference, making history as the first West African to occupy that prestigious position. During his tenure, he championed landmark policies including the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the International Declaration on Human Genetic Data.
His time at UNESCO also helped boost Nigeria’s presence on the world stage. He played a key role in securing World Heritage status for sites like the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, blending education, culture, and diplomacy in service of Africa’s legacy.
Omolewa is a published author, respected policy advisor, and global lecturer whose work spans literacy, African education history, and cultural preservation. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded Nigeria’s national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2008.
Today, Prof. Omolewa who is currently with the Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State continues to serve as an emeritus professor and elder statesman in education.
His life is a testament to how one voice — grounded in scholarship, humility, and service — can reshape both national and global conversations on knowledge, dignity, and inclusion.
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