Education & Career
Doctorat d’Etat (D. Li), Grenoble, France (Grade: Très Honorable), Feb. 1986
Doctorat de 3e Cycle (Ph. D), (Grenoble, France), June 1975
M.A (French) Grenoble, France, (Comparative Studies: French/ Yoruba Lit),1973
B.A (Hons) French (Ibadan), (French major, Yoruba minor), June 1969
Certificat d’Etudes Francaises Supérieurs, Toulouse, France, Feb. 1967
Certificat de Langue Francaise, Toulouse, France, Feb. 1967
Nigeria Certificate in Education (N.C.E.), English/ French; University of Lagos, 1965
Born on 03 July 1934, in the ancient town of Iroko, Ibadan, Oyo State of
Nigeria to Papa James Olarewaju and Mama Maria Oladunni ABIOYE.
He was one of the pioneering students at the CAC primary school, Abule
Igbagbo Adebowale, Iroko, between 1942 and 1949. Then to the First Baptist
Day School, Fiditi (1950-1951). He was a young teacher at CAC School,
Alayin from 1952 to 1954. Between January 1955 and April 1957, he aended Fiditi Grammar
School, Fiditi, Oyo where he commenced his West African School Certificate Examination
(WASCE) programme and completed at Gbongan/Ode-Omu Anglican Grammar School
(GOAGS)- May 1957- Dec. 1960. Between 1961 and 1964, he taught at CAC Secondary
School, Lantoro, Abeokuta and at Oriwu College, Ikorodu, Lagos.
In 1964, he enrolled for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme at the newly
established University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he majored in English and French. In 1966, he
travelled to Toulouse, France for further studies.
On February 6, 1986, aer six gruelling hours, he successfully defended his Doctorat d’Etat
Thesis (Translation & Comparative Literature) in Grenoble, France. This ranks with the D.Li
degree in the UK.
His Ph.D (on 18th Century French Literature) supervised by Professor Jean SGARD, at the
University of GRENOBLE, France in 1975, was eventually published in 1984 by a Literary
Group led by Professor Jean SGARD. Photocopies of same in VOLUMES VI (102 pages) and
VOLUME VIII (pages 421-422). Published by PRESSES UNIVERSITAIRES DE GRENOBLE,
FRANCE, 1984. Professor Abioye has authored various books. He successfully translated all
the five novels of Nigeria’s legendary novelist, late D.O. Fagunwa from Yoruba to French.
He has always been fully commied to moulding and guiding lives. From his days at CAC
Grammar school, Alayin, to the University of Lagos where he taught French language,
literature and civilisation for 32years - 1969-2001, he retired in 1999, with additional two
years on contract employment.
Thereaer, he was on contract appointment as Professor of French and Head of Department
at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, between 2002 and 2009.
Worthy of mention also is late Mrs. Cecilia Subulade Abioye, who as a beloved wife, heartily
supported his academic endeavours.
At 90, he continues to teach and inspire others, especially the younger generation on the
values of quality education, the Yoruba language, its nuances & culture, the correct usage of
the English and French languages, culture and civilisation. Even on social media platforms,
FB, Instagram & Tik-Tok.
First Graduating set of the GOAGS, Gbongan in the West African School Certificate Exam. in 1960.
21 candidates presented: 17 of them succeeded in the Exam. In the above photo are: Front row, sitting: L-R, William ADEDEJI, Oduola OSUNGUNNA, VP Paul OYEYEMI, Prince J A ADENIJI (Principal), Expatriate from the UK, Mr. DAVID, Abraham OYEDEJI (Snr. Prefect, 1955-60), August ADEYINKA. Middle row, standing, L-R : John ABIOYE, (came from the Fiditi Grammar School, May 1957-60), Emman Olaide OKUBULE, Reuben OKEWUMI, Titus ADEDEJI, Johnson AKINTOLA, Albert ADEDOJA, Rufus EKANADE, Lawrence OYELAMI. Back row standing, L-R : Alani ADEPOJU, Jonathan OLONISAKIN, Olukeye AKINBAMI, Johnson PIKÚDÀ,'Layi OLADOKUN, Abel AKINWALE, Biliaminu SHODEINDE Moshood AJANI (Now Osuade OYEDIRAN) & James FAKAYODE (Not in the Group photo b'cos of illness after Final Exam & was rushed to the U C H, Ibadan for treatment). Was later installed a Baálè in IBADAN, transited about 4 (four years ago! May his soul rest in peace. Amen)!
