How Israeli Architect Arieh Sharon Helped Shape Obafemi Awolowo University

As Nigeria approached independence, the Western Region sought to establish a university that could train the scientists, engineers, administrators and other professionals needed for a modern society. After considering several locations, the regional government chose Ile-Ife, and the plan for the University of Ife was announced in October 1960. Israeli architect Arieh Sharon, a Bauhaus-trained planner, was invited to develop the permanent campus. His design responded to the tropical climate and landscape, using shaded walkways, open spaces, greenery and bold geometric forms rather than simply reproducing a European campus model. The university first operated from a temporary site in Ibadan in 1962 before moving to its permanent Ile-Ife campus from 1967. Sharon worked with his firm, partners and Nigerian professionals, including A. A. Egbor. The campus went on to become one of Nigeria's most recognisable university environments and the home of generations of Great Ife students.

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