The B.A. degree programme in Yoruba which formally began in the Faculty of Arts during the session 1970/71 was designed and taught by the African Languages and Literatures staff of the then Institute of African Studies. Under this arrangement, the University of Ife Faculty awarded its first undergraduate degree in Yoruba in the Faculties of Arts and Education in 1974. At its 114th meeting of 7th January 1975 the Senate of the University, having considered and approved a recommendation from the Faculty Board of Art, decided to create (at Minute 1787) a separate Department of African Languages and Literatures in the Faculty with effect from October 1975. The existing degree programme in Yoruba became the nucleus of the new Department and the African Languages and Literatures staff of the Institute of African Studies was redeployed to the new Department.
At its inception, the Department planned to provide teaching and research in the following sub disciplines: General and linguistic study of Nigerian and African Languages; in-depth study of the following languages of Nigeria and their literatures: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Edo; proficiency training in language skills with respect to these same four languages. As will be seen in what follows, however, problems of staff training, the unexpected proliferation of Universities specializing in the study and teaching of each of these languages, and constraints in matters of resources particularly beginning with the years 80's have limited the Department’s activities to the Yoruba Language, its literature and its institutions, while the Department continues to explore all avenues to prosecute its original plans in pursuit of the objects of the Obafemi Awolowo University. .....read more