It was a celebration steeped in culture, royalty, and academic prestige on Sunday, August 31, 2025, as Imedu Kingdom in Lekki LCDA, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, hosted a grand reception in honour of Professor Morufudeen Adeniyi Shittu, who was recently elevated to the rank of Professor of Arabic Education and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin, with a campus at Odo-Noforija, Epe Division.
kakalistiq.com reports that the well-attended reception, held at MCP Multipurpose Hall, Eleko, witnessed the convergence of royal fathers, traditional chiefs, Islamic scholars, academics, and well-wishers from across the Epe Division, Ibeju-Lekki, and beyond.
The event, organized by the Oba-elect of Imedu Kingdom, Prince Ibrahim Adebowale Saliu, featured royal dignitaries including: HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Oloja of Epe Land and Chairman, Epe Division Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs (represented by High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, the Odofin of Epe); HRM Oba Waliu Olasunkanmi Rasak, Onibeju of Ibeju-Lekki Land and Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs; HRM Oba AbdulGaniyu Adebowale Adegbesan, Onise of Ise Land; HRM Oba Muftau Adewunmi Idogun, Ologunfayo of Ogunfayo Kingdom, Iwerekun Land; HRM Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja JP FMBE, Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, represented by High Chief M.A. Badejo, Odofin of Odo-Noforija
In his remarks, HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, through his representative, commended Prof. Shittu’s humility and resilience: “He is a remarkable agent of peace whose patience and humility in the face of crises are commendable and worthy of emulation.”
Reflecting on the scholar’s life, the monarch lauded his ability to “absorb insults and maneuver tempest situations,” offering heartfelt prayers for his continued success.
HRM Oba AbdulGaniyu Adegbesan, the Onise of Ise Land, offered personal insight into the honouree’s upbringing: “Professor Shittu is my son, whom I have known from childhood.”
He praised his spiritual leadership, adding:
“He is known for his humility, patience and spiritual leadership in the league of Imams and Alfas in the Epe Division.”
HRM Oba Muftau Adewunmi Idogun, the Ologunfayo of Ogunfayo Kingdom, also praised the DVC for his achievements: “Professor Shittu is not only a pride to Ibeju-Lekki but also Epe Division and Awori land. We want him to build more people like him in the academic field. We the kings in Ibeju-Lekki, Imedu and Akodo-Ise love him and we pray for his progress. Coming generations should see him as their role model. They should exercise patience to attain such academic feat.”
HRM Oba Waliu Olasunkanmi Rasak, the Onibeju of Ibeju-Lekki, noted the importance of education in the area and urged Prof. Shittu to be a voice for the community: “We appreciate Almighty God for the noble feat attained by Professor Shittu especially in Ibeju-Lekki and Imedu Kingdom. We want all the sons and daughters of Ibeju-Lekki to emulate him.”
He further encouraged the new professor to consider the “yearnings of the people in the area of education” and pledged the council’s support.
Representing the Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija, High Chief M.A. Badejo praised the DVC with the following tribute: “Professor Shittu is a beacon of peace whose scholarly pursuit and spiritual leadership bring immense pride to our division. His academic elevation is a reward for diligence, and a source of inspiration for generations to come. We pray for greater heights and unshaken strength in his service to education and humanity.”
Professor Morufudeen Adeniyi Shittu, born in 1965, hails from a lineage steeped in Islamic scholarship. His father, Late Alhaji Imam Noladeen Ishola Shittu, laid a strong religious and moral foundation for the young Morufudeen.
His paternal roots lie in Akodo-Ise and Ebode Quarter, Apakeji, Epe, while maternally, he traces his heritage to Okun-Imedu and Ajagannabe Quarter, Alake, Epe, giving him firm ties across the Epe Division.
His academic path began at Zumuratul Islamiyyah Primary School, Epe (1973–1979), followed by Ogunmodede College, and later, Daru Dawah College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Isolo (1983–1990). He earned a B.A. in Arabic Language (1997) and an M.A. in Arabic Language and Literature (2005) from Lagos State University, and added a PGDE (2007) to his academic credentials.
His Ph.D. in Arabic Curriculum Studies was obtained from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia in 2017, where he was named Best International Student (2016/2017). He also attended a Student Exchange Programme at IIUM, Malaysia.
Prof. Shittu began his lecturing career in 1999 as an Assistant Lecturer at MOCPED. By 2017, he had risen to Chief Lecturer, and following MOCPED’s transformation into LASUED in 2022, he became an Associate Professor. In 2025, he earned his full Professorship in Arabic Language Education.
The event featured the presentation of awards to distinguished monarchs, an offering of thanksgiving to God, and a rich display of merriment and traditional pageantry. It was a momentous occasion uniting royalty, religion, scholarship, and service, affirming Prof. Shittu’s place as a revered son of the soil.
