The Psychological Architecture of Urbanization: AAUA Presents Its 56th Inaugural Lecture

Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba-Akoko, a flagship institution for academic excellence in Ondo State, is prepared to sustain its vibrant culture of intellectual inquiry with the presentation of its 56th Inaugural Lecture. This milestone event, which serves as a definitive platform for senior academics to profess their life’s research to the global community, will be delivered by Professor Oluyinka Akammu Ojedokun. A scholar of high repute, Professor Ojedokun holds a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. from the prestigious University of Ibadan and currently serves as a Professor of Applied Social and Environmental Psychology. His lecture, provocatively titled “God Made the Earth, Humans Made the Town,” aims to dissect the intricate psychological relationship between human cognition, environmental design, and the evolving nature of urban settlements.

The title of the lecture draws upon a deep philosophical and sociological inquiry into the dichotomy between natural ecosystems and anthropogenic environments. In the field of Applied Social and Environmental Psychology, the "town" is not merely a physical collection of bricks, mortar, and asphalt, but a psychological construct that influences and is influenced by human behavior. Professor Ojedokun is expected to explore how humans, in their bid to master the earth, have created urban spaces that pose unique psychological challenges—ranging from the stress of overcrowding and noise pollution to the social dynamics of community living. By contrasting the "earth" as a divine, natural gift with the "town" as a human invention, the lecture will likely proffer solutions on how urban planning can be more human-centric, promoting mental well-being and environmental sustainability.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the University Multipurpose Hall. As is the custom with such high-level academic traditions, the university protocol requires all guests to be seated by 1:30 p.m. prompt. This window allows for the ceremonial academic procession, a solemn parade of the university’s best minds in their full regalia, which symbolizes the institution's authority and commitment to the preservation of knowledge. The 56th Inaugural Lecture will be chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olugbenga E. Ige, whose leadership has been marked by a consistent drive toward research innovation and institutional visibility.

Supporting the Vice Chancellor at the high table will be other principal officers, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Chairman of the Ceremonies Committee, Professor Adedayo Daramola. The presence of these top-tier administrators underscores the weight the university places on the inaugural series as a yardstick for academic growth and faculty development. For Professor Ojedokun, this lecture represents a transition from a dedicated researcher to an established authority whose work in Environmental Psychology has implications for policy-makers, architects, and sociologists alike. His Ibadan-trained academic pedigree suggests a rigorous, data-driven approach that will likely challenge contemporary notions of urban development in the Nigerian context.

The scholarly engagement is expected to attract a diverse audience, including members of the university community, researchers from sister institutions, students, and the general public. From a psychological perspective, understanding the human-environment interaction is crucial in an era where Nigeria is experiencing rapid, and often unplanned, urbanization. Professor Ojedokun’s insights could serve as a blueprint for "psychological urbanism," where towns are built not just for economic efficiency but for social harmony. The lecture promises to provide valuable perspectives on how our surroundings shape our social identities and how, in turn, our psychological needs should dictate the "making" of our towns.

As AAUA prepares for this 56th edition, the Multipurpose Hall stands as a witness to the university's enduring legacy of promoting discourse that transcends the classroom. The invitation is open to all who seek to understand the delicate balance between the natural world and the human-made environment. By the conclusion of the lecture, it is expected that the university will have once again proven its role as a beacon of light in the quest for a more sustainable and psychologically healthy society.