PROF. STEPHEN OLUSOJI APPOINTED DEAN OF FACULTY OF CREATIVE ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
African Art Times Editorial Board 
By The African Art Times Editorial Board
In a momentous shift that promises to elevate the stature of Nigerian and African arts in academia and beyond, Professor Stephen Olu-Ibukun Olusoji, an erudite musicologist, prolific composer, and cultural ambassador, has been elected Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos. This historic appointment follows a democratic vote by members of the faculty, marking a resounding endorsement of Prof. Olusoji’s visionary leadership and unmatched contributions to the creative and academic ecosystem.
The Faculty of Creative Arts—encompassing Music and Sound Production, Theatre Arts and Film Studies, and Fine and Applied Arts—now enters a new chapter under the guidance of a scholar whose career is a compelling blend of artistic brilliance, academic depth, and cross-cultural diplomacy.
Academic Leadership Rooted in Excellence
Prof. Olusoji’s responsibilities as Dean include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the faculty, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across its departments, strengthening academic policy and research culture, mentoring staff and students, and ensuring the global relevance of the creative arts curriculum. His appointment is not merely administrative—it is symbolic of the university’s commitment to anchoring creative education in scholarship, practice, and innovation.
Having served as Head of the Department of Creative Arts (2023–), his rise to Deanship is both natural and timely. Prof. Olusoji is not just a custodian of the arts—he is a transformative force dedicated to nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of globally competitive artists, scholars, and cultural entrepreneurs.
A Stellar Academic Journey
From his early beginnings at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he earned a National Certificate of Education in Music Technology, to his B.A. in Music (Composition) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and subsequently an M.A. and Ph.D. in African Music and Musicology from the University of Ibadan, Prof. Olusoji has consistently demonstrated an unwavering passion for academic excellence.
He holds additional credentials including an M.Ed. in Educational Management and several professional certifications that reflect his multidisciplinary expertise. His teaching and research focus spans African music, music education, composition, musicology, and intercultural music analysis.
Global Scholar, Cultural Envoy
A true academic diplomat, Prof. Olusoji has proudly flown Nigeria’s cultural flag in academic circles across the globe. Most recently, he served as a keynote speaker at the China-Nigeria Conference hosted by the Beijing Institute of Technology in 2024, where he examined the cultural intersections between Chinese and Nigerian arts.
In the same year, he facilitated a music workshop at the Alessandro Scarlatti Conservatory in Palermo, Italy through the prestigious Erasmus+ grant, strengthening academic exchanges between Europe and Africa.
His extensive global engagements also include participation at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Virtual Seminar, scholarly reviews for Oxford University Press, and examiner roles at institutions like the University of Liverpool and University of Pretoria.
Honours and Distinctions
A Composer of Rare Brilliance
Academic Publications & Research
Collaborations and Networks
The Man Behind the Music
Beyond his academic and artistic genius, Prof. Stephen Olusoji is a humble family man and passionate gardener. He currently serves as the Director of the Foundation Choir and Orchestra, Lagos, nurturing talents and building community through sacred and contemporary choral music.
A Legacy in the Making
Prof. Olusoji’s appointment as Dean is more than a title; it is the recognition of a lifelong devotion to music, education, and cultural diplomacy. As the creative world watches the University of Lagos Faculty of Creative Arts under his stewardship, there is no doubt that the faculty is poised to become a leading hub for African arts on the global stage.
Under his leadership, the intersection of tradition and innovation will not only be explored—it will be redefined.
African Art Times congratulates Professor Stephen Olu-Ibukun Olusoji on this landmark achievement and looks forward to chronicling the transformative journey that lies ahead.
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