Renowned Sports Psychologist Prof. Omotayo Bows Out After Illustrious Career
By Tilda Acorlor
Professor Oluwaseun Olanrewaju Omotayo, a visiting scholar at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), has officially retired after an illustrious 37-year career in academia.
To commemorate this significant milestone, Professor Omotayo delivered his Exaugural Lecture, titled “Psychologizing in Sports: My 37-Year Odyssey,” reflecting on his remarkable journey and contributions to the field.
As the pioneer Head of the Department of the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM) at UHAS, Professor Omotayo played a pivotal role in establishing, growing, and developing the school.
His extensive research works, comprising over seventy scholarly publications, research outputs, consultancy, and community service, have significantly impacted the sports ecosystem.
During the lecture, Professor Omotayo emphasized the need for specialized sports universities to identify grassroots talent in sports. He also highlighted the importance of research on athletes’ retirement and gender factors in sports, stressing their critical role in advancing knowledge in sports science and psychology.
“There must be the establishment of specialized sports universities to identify grassroots talent in the sports fraternity,”
“Research activities focusing on athletes’ retirement and gender factors in sports are critical in advancing knowledge in sports science and psychology, “ Prof. Omotayo said.
The 67-year-old Professor pointed out the necessity of consistent coaching for optimal athlete development, advocating for continuous coaching education, capacity building, and professional qualifications for coaches.
“There is a need for continuous coaching education, capacity building, and professional qualifications for coaches to enhance coaching effectiveness and athletes’ development,” he added.
In his remarks, Professor Omotayo appealed to the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to establish a federal sports university in Nigeria, similar to the newly built Sports Complex at Borteyman, which was used for the just-ended African Games in Accra.
The professor said it would insulate the facility at the National Stadium in Surulere and the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja which is facing a perennial and structural decay.
To keep the memory of his legacy in UHAS, Professor Omotayo has established the “Omotayo Prize,” an academic award for the Level 400 Student with the highest Grade Score in the SSEM 401, Applied Sports Psychology course.
“The institutionalization of this prize which shall be administered by Managers of The Oriola-Olubisi Foundation is the funiculus umbilicalis that ties me and my Family to the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine and by extension the University in perpetuity.” Professor Omotayo.
A symbolic derobing ceremony marked Professor Omotayo’s transition to a well-deserved retirement, as he was handed over to his family after decades of dedication and service in academia.
Distinguished guests, including the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Yao Achibald Letsa, Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Prof. Lydia Aziato, and Pro-Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Togbi Prof. Harry Tagbor, attended the Exaugural lecture.
Professor Omotayo became a professor at age 27 his remarkable journey and extensive experience have earned him international recognition, He is the first professor of Sports Psychology in Africa.
