REMEMBERING IWILADE AFRIKA OF Great Ife: Nigerians Mourn Iwilade Afrika

Nigerians Mourn Afrika, Radical Students Union Leader Assassinated By OAU Authorities-Backed Cultists In 1999.

Human rights, social, and student activists, along with well-wishers, recently paid tribute to George Akinyemi Iwilade, known as Afrika. He was tragically killed on July 10, 1999, by cultists at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State. This event is remembered as a defining moment for both OAU and Nigerian activism due to the university’s struggles with cultism during that period. Many believe that the authorities of the university supported the cultists.

Afrika, who served as the General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), was not the sole victim of this attack. Four of his roommates—Eviano Ekelemu, Yemi Ajiteru, Babatunde Oke, and Godfrey Ekpede—were also murdered in their sleep.

The attackers were members of the Black Axe Confraternity and other allied cult groups, who invaded Awolowo Hall around 4:30 AM, armed with guns and machetes. The then SUG President, Lanre Adeleke (Legacy), narrowly escaped the attack.

Earlier, on March 7, 1999, SUG leaders, led by Afrika, had arrested nine cult members with weapons and regalia. These individuals confessed that their patrons included the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wale Omole, and another senior staff member. Despite being handed over to the police, the cultists were granted bail, and the evidence against them was destroyed. With no action taken by the school, these cultists returned to campus and carried out the deadly attack on July 10, 1999.

Two alleged cultists, Emeka and Efosa, were caught on the day of the massacre and confessed to being sponsored by Prof. Omole, who was subsequently suspended from his post. However, the perpetrators of this horrific event were never brought to justice and were released after three years. Despite the passage of time, the memories of Afrika and the other students brutally assassinated on that day continue to inspire activists, including figures like Omoyele Sowore, who regularly honor their legacy.