Professor Muibi Omolayo Opeloye is a distinguished Nigerian scholar of Islamic Studies, interfaith relations expert, public intellectual, and university administrator whose academic and public service career spans over four decades. Widely respected for his contributions to Islamic scholarship, Arabic education, Islamic law and jurisprudence, and Muslim–Christian relations in Nigeria, he represents a generation of scholars who successfully bridged classical Islamic learning with modern academic scholarship.
Muibi Omolayo Opeloye was born on 20th October, 1949 to the family of Alhaji Idris Gbedebo Opeloye of Ijaroa – Onijara, Obalufon Royal House, Ireemo, Ile-Ife. On the maternal side he hails from Chief Lowa Ali Awoyere family of Agborogboro Compound, Moore, Ile-Ife. Alhaji Idris Opeloye was the Chief Imam of Ife between 1994 and 2015 while Chief Awoyere was member of Western Region House of Assembly with Sir. Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife in the First Republic.
Professor Opeloye’s academic career spans nearly four decades of university teaching and postgraduate supervision, marked by depth, continuity, and institutional impact.
Professor Opeloye’s academic career spans nearly four decades of university teaching and postgraduate supervision, marked by depth, continuity, and institutional impact.
Beyond teaching, Professor Opeloye held extensive university leadership and governance roles, particularly at Lagos State University:
Second Class Upper
Professor Opeloye has authored over 70 scholarly works, including books, edited volumes, journal articles, and conference papers.
His work is characterised by clarity, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to dialogue between faith traditions.
These works articulate Professor Opeloye’s long-standing commitment to constructive interfaith engagement, grounded in scriptural scholarship, historical context, and the lived realities of Nigerian society.
Professor Opeloye was invited to join International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) South West Nigeria by the Coordinator Dr Jibril Oyekan in 2012. The Institute has its headquarters at Herndon USA. In the year 2020 I was appointed as Director for Osun State Director. As Director I am charged with coordinating Integration of knowledge project in the state which involves organization of workshops in the Tertiary institutions within the state. At present being the Director of Research and publications appointed in 2026 I am charged with coordinating research activities of the Institute and publication of our research outputs books. Each state of the Southwest has its Directorate.
Professor Opeloye has held numerous leadership and service positions within academic, professional, and community institutions, including:
His career reflects quiet influence rather than self-promotion, sustained contribution rather than episodic visibility. He remains a reference point in Nigerian Islamic Studies and Interfaith relations as well as an enduring voice in conversations about faith, culture, and education.
Professor Opeloye was invited to join International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) South West Nigeria by the Coordinator Dr Jibril Oyekan in 2012. The Institute has its headquarters at Herndon USA. In the year 2020 I was appointed as Director for Osun State Director. As Director I am charged with coordinating Integration of knowledge project in the state which involves organization of workshops in the Tertiary institutions within the state. At present being the Director of Research and publications appointed in 2026 I am charged with coordinating research activities of the Institute and publication of our research outputs books. Each state of the Southwest has its Directorate.
Professor Opeloye has been playing a leading role in the activities of the Muslim Ummah of South west Nigeria (MUSWEN) formerly as Chairman Education committee and currently as Chairman Peace and Mediation committee. The assignment in the latter has taken my committee to Inisa in Osun State, Ikare in Ondo State and Lagos Central mosque in Lagos State. In all of these, the Muslim communities have been polarised, some of them having their cases in the court of law. In our efforts to bring about peace and unity, the stakeholders were visited to get to the root of the problem. The paramount rulers in each of the cities helped tremendously in helping to find solution to the problem. The committee's assignment is pivotal to MUSWEN mission which is to promote the Muslim Ummah's unity