YOU might be wondering why the media is awash with tributes to a great scholar, Professor Toyin Falola. This is not unexpected considering the status of Toyin Falola in academia and, particularly, in the humanities worldwide. A summarized summary of his biography will be: Toyin Falola, a native of Ibadan, is a professor of African studies. He is a distinguished teaching professor and the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin. Toyin Falola is the author/editor of over two hundred books and recipient of over 20 honorary doctorate awards. He has received over 30 lifetime achievement awards and has served as editor for several reputable journals, including the Oxford Research Encyclopedia in African History. 

On this occasion of Professor Toyin Falola’s 72nd birthday, I dedicate this piece to reflect on his scholarship and humanitarianism. One of his characteristics that stands out for me is academic excellence. No one can challenge the fact that Professor Falola is brilliant and successful at what he does. Aside from his numerous publications and awards, Falola has delivered several convocation lectures at home and abroad. It takes a great deal for an academic to have delivered more than 10 Convocation lectures within two years!  He achieves this feat through determination and discipline. Moreover, Professor Toyin Falola authors, at least, three books a year. One will be surprised to know that this act—of publishing three to four books in a year—is a routine as far as Toyin Falola is concerned. He has consistently done so in the past few years. 

Therefore, we can only second Professor Amidu Sanni in imagining if Falola spends the same 24 hours as the other scholars. Unable to rationalize what elements typify Toyin Falola, Professor Serges Kamga, of the University of South Africa designated him as Orisa! I address Falola as Encyclopedia of African History. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi once called him “the doyen of African history.” The reality is that Professor Toyin Falola is a rare bird that appears once in a lifetime. In a country like Nigeria where the history discipline is underrated, Professor Falola serves as an encouragement and a beacon of hope for the history students. Falola is a testament to the fact that it is not about what one studies or what society conceives of it, but how one distinguishes themselves in their respective fields against all odds.

Against the wrong perception that one has to degrade others to prove that they are better, Professor Toyin Falola is popular for acknowledging and celebrating other people’s success. He has consistently praised his successful colleagues with numerous articles while acknowledging others in his presentations. Falola has dedicated several books to exceptional Nigerians, including those in the diaspora. Notwithstanding his several articles on conventional media, Falola’s Citizenship and the Diaspora in the Digital Age: Farooq Kperogi and the Virtual Community and, African Memoirs, and Cultural Representations: Narrating Traditions, are enough for evidence. This partly amounts to the numerous books and articles by scholars in honour of Professor Toyin Falola.

Additionally, Professor Falola embodies the essence of humility and generosity. My humble self can attest to Falola’s humbleness. I have witnessed his presentation twice at Lagos State University and heard pretty much about him. Professor Falola mentors and accommodates young scholars who try to associate themselves with him. Several scholars have benefitted from his mentorship and collaborations. This is a challenge for selfish scholars who find difficulty helping others to grow; especially those who conceive mentoring as an avenue to exploit budding scholars. Falola is a typical example of a well-rounded scholar. An astute historian, Toyin Falola is also a literati, political scientist, and philosopher. If you call Falola a traditionalist, I can serve you with proof. His critical submissions on national TV are unique in their historical approach. My interest in journalism was influenced by inspiration from Toyin Falola. If Falola could successfully contribute to every aspect of the humanities field, studying History should not be a limitation for me. Toyin Falola is a scholar in numerous fields and an interdisciplinary course himself. 

Another intriguing attribute of Professor Toyin Falola is resilience. I studied him for this. Many followers of Toyin Falola would have noticed that HeartofArts, the Professor’s website, and his WhatsApp Community have ceased functioning for a while. That must have been consequential of a technical glitch. Rather than allowing this problem to outweigh him, Professor Falola quickly secured an alternative with his new website, the Toyin Falola Network. Resilience is the most intriguing thing about Toyin Falola. He lives above criticisms and moves against all odds.  As the debated saying by Nelson Mandela goes: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Let me seize this medium to ask the Professor to recreate the WhatsApp platform as we are missing out on his conventional outputs and important updates. The effectiveness of emails is limited.  

If leadership is by example, Falola should be considered a great leader. As I confessed last year, “Falola is so African than the home-based.” He unapologetically displays the beauty of African aso ofi. His outfits, like his works, testify to the talents embedded in Africa. With several years of service in pushing for Africa’s Identity and decolonization, Professor Toyin Falola is an avid advocate for African-ness. Baba Falola talks authoritatively during convocation lectures. He confidently submits his ideas and thoughts which, oftentimes, spur intellectual uproars. Meanwhile, his staccato laughs are strategic in capturing the audience’s attention.

Finally, Professor Falola made me realize the power of status in the academic space. If you have professional footballers advocating for brands, or media entertainers influencing organizations, Toyin Falola is an intellectual influencer for Africa and his colleagues. Without prejudice, I became a fan of some scholars through Professor Falola. My last tribute to the Professor spurred several emails from scholars who never expected an undergraduate student to be so conversant with a scholar as that. 

In sum, Professor Toyin Falola is a Nigerian jewel of international repute. He embodies a lot of reputable characters that qualify for vivid studying. Falola’s tenaciousness and humbleness are worthy of emulation. I wish Professor Toyin Falola more blessed years!

Abdulkabir Muhammed writes from Lagos State University. He can be contacted via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.