AUDIENCE ANALYSIS FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF PROFESSORIAL INAUGURAL LECTURE Ebenezer Adebisi OLAWUYI, Ph.D. Department of Communication and Language Arts University of Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract Inaugural lecture is one of the hallowed traditions of the academia. It is an occasion of significance in the career of academics because it provides them with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase their research, innovation, engagement and teaching activities before members of the university community and the general public. This rite of passage is very important for the reason that a faculty member’s foray in scholarly enterprise is made public. However, oftentimes, the “general intelligibility” of the lecture is compromised as a result of the use of jargons. The position of this paper is that inaugural lecturers should conduct audience analysis as parts of their preparation for the occasion. This exercise is important in order to tailor their message not only for “insiders” but “outsiders” as well.