I am delighted to welcome you to the Department of Classics. 

The Department of Classics was established in 1948. It was one of the first three Departments in the Faculty of Arts to offer Honours Degree courses - in affiliation to University of London. The Department has seasoned lecturers who are dynamic and cerebral researchers in different areas of the discipline, and passionate about demonstrating their commitment to qualitative research, teaching and learning. Our mission is to help our students realise and develop their potentials, pursue and achieve their aspirations so as to become accomplished global citizens who comprehend civilisations as well as civility. The academic resoluteness of the Department is evidenced by the various positions the staff have continued to hold as visiting scholars and lecturers/professors in renowned universities in Europe, America, UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana and other prestigious institutions across the globe. The department offers constant systematic personal support to students, which guarantees educational advancement, assessment of scholastic progress of the students. We avail students excellent scholarship opportunities while encouraging individual and collaborative research. Our core curriculum comprises Latin and Greek languages, Greek and Roman Literature, Classical and Hellenistic Philosophy, History, Religion, mythology, Rhetoric, Law and Jurisprudence, and Gender and Sexuality Studies.  Courses are taught in such a way that students are helped to develop cognitive skills and employ knowledge of past human experiences in addressing contemporary issues. 

Our department is the only department of Classics in Nigeria, and this stands us out in the educational system of the country as a veritable archive of knowledge. The impact of the Department has been felt globally as it proudly boasts of having produced alumni who are diplomats, accomplished business magnates, industrialists, administrators and many icons who have contributed immeasurably towards national and global peace, growth and economy. The achievements of our alumni speak volumes as they render splendid services in a wide range of occupations. We happily keep track records of our alumni, worthy ladies and gentlemen, who are making waves in the ever growing and competitive labour market – at a global dimension. 

Classics is an interesting, exciting, and thought-provoking discipline since the history of the past it offers forms an integral part of the present and the future. Therefore, I encourage you to take advantage of all that the department has in its antique storehouse to realise a unique experience in humanities studies. Kindly contact the department, should you need any further clarification on other areas that are not clear to you.

Thank you for visiting our website.

Prof. Olakunbi O. Olasope
Head of Department