The peak of academic scholarship is to become a professor. In recent years, there have been more requirements for a university to appoint one a professor in Nigerian universities.
In this post, EduCeleb.com shares with you a list of first Nigerian professors in various fields in its universities.
Please, note that some other Nigeria became professors in certain fields before some of the listed below but their appointment to that position were not in Nigerian universities.
First Nigerian Professor of History ~ Prof Kenneth Dike ( From Awka, Anambra).
First Nigerian Professor of Philosophy ~ Prof Olubi Sodipo (From Ilishan-Remo, Ogun state).
First Nigerian Professor of Linguistics ~ Prof Ayo Bamgbose (From Oyo, Oyo State).
First Nigerian Professor of French Language ~ Prof Evans.
First Nigerian Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies ~ Prof M.O.A Abdul (Ijebu Ode, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Yoruba and African Literature ~ Prof Wande Abimbola (From Oyo, Oyo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Music ~ Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme (From Oko, Anambra state).
First Nigerian Professor of Theatre and Arts ~ Prof Joel Adeyinka Adedeji (State of Origin Unknown).
First Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria ~ Prof Alfred Opubor (Nigerian – Beninour).
First Nigerian Professor of Library and Information Science ~ Prof Mrs Adetoun Ogunsheye
First Nigerian Professor of Education ~ Prof. Aliu Babs Fafunwa (from Oyo State but raised in Isale Eko, Lagos State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physical Education ~ Prof. M. Oluwafemi Ajisafe (Ekiti State).
First Nigerian Professor of Tests and Measurement ~ Prof. Dibu Ojerinde (Igboho, Oyo State)
First Nigerian Professor of Law ~ Prof Teslim Olawale Elias (Lagos State)
First Nigerian Professor of Agriculture ~ Prof. Victor Adenuga Oyenuga (Ijebu, Ogun state).
First Nigerian Professor of Animal Science ~ Prof. Gabriel. M. Babatunde (Afijio, Oyo State).
First Nigeria Professor of Forestry ~ Professor Kolade Adeyoju (Ijan-Ekiti, Ekiti State).
First Nigerian Professor of Clinical Pharmacy ~ Prof. Nzebunwa Aguwa (Eke-Nguru, IMO State).
First Nigerian Professor of Medicine ~ Prof. Theophius Ogunlesi (Sagamu, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Nursing ~ Prof (Mrs). Elfrida. O. Adebo (Abeokuta, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physiotherapy ~ Prof. Vincent C. B. Nwuga (Asaba, Delta State).
First Nigerian Professor of Anatomy ~ Prof. Thomas Adesanya Grillo (Lagos State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physiology ~ HRH Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien (Asaba, Delta State).
First Nigerian and African professor of Health Education ~ Professor Zacchaeus Akingbade Ademuwagun.
First Nigerian Professor of psychiatry ~ Prof. Thomas Adeoye Lambo ( Abeokuta, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of public health ~ Prof. Oladele Ajose (Lagos State).
First Nigerian Professor of Nutrition ~ Prof Babatunde Oguntona.
First Nigerian Professor of Paediatrics ~ Prof Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (Abeokuta, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Botany ~ Prof. Eni Njoku (Ohafia, Abia State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physics ~ Prof. Muyiwa Awe (Esie, Kwara State).
First Nigerian Professor of Statistics ~ Prof. Nwoue Adichie “Chimamanda’s dad (Abba, Anambra).
First Nigerian Professor of Mathematics ~ Prof. Chike Obi (Anambra State).
First Nigerian Professor of Geology ~ Prof. Mosobolaje O. Oyawoye (Offa, Kwara State).
First Nigerian Professor of Computer Science ~ Prof. Olu Longe.
First Nigerian Professor of Chemistry ~ Prof. Stephen Oluwole Awokoya (Awa-Ijebu, Ogun state).
First Nigerian Professor Of Architecture ~ Prof. Ekundayo Adeyemi (Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State).
First Nigerian Professor of Urban and Regional Planning ~ Prof. Adepoju Onibokun(Iwoye-Ijesha, Osun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Estate Management ~ Prof. John. A. Umeh (Nnobi, Anambra State).
First Nigerian Professor of Accounting ~ Prof. Micheal A. Adeyemo (Irun-Akoko, Ondo State)
First Nigerian Professor of Marketing ~ Prof. Julius Onuorah Onah (Orba, Enugu State).
First Nigerian Professor of Insurance ~ Prof. Joseph. O. Irukwu (Eteem, Abia State).
First Nigerian Professor of Chemical Engineering ~ Prof. Sikiru A. Sanni (Ibadan, Oyo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Industrial Engineering ~ Prof. David. E. Osifo (Benin-city, Edo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Civil Engineering ~ Prof. Ifedayo O. Oladapo ( Ondo, Ondo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Petroleum Engineering ~ Prof. Gabriel Kayode Falade
First Nigerian Professor of Mining Engineering ~ Prof. Zacheus Opafunso (Ede, Osun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Public Health Engineering ~ Prof. Paul Aibinuola Oluwande.
First Nigerian Professor of Geography ~ Prof. Akin Mobogunje (Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State)
First Nigerian Professor of Psychology ~ Prof. Dennis Ugwuegbu (Orlu, Imo State).
First Female Academics
This is an addendum to the initial list, with the aim of promoting girl child education.
– First Nigerian Female Professor ever ~ Prof. (Mrs) Felicia Adetoun Ogunsheye.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Law ~ Prof (Mrs) Jadesola Olayinka Akande.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of History ~ Prof. (Mrs) Bolanle Awe.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Pharmacy ~ Prof. (Mrs) Babalola Chinedum Peace.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Psychiatry ~ Prof. (Mrs) Olayinka Omigbodun.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Mass Communication ~ Prof. (Mrs) Chinyere Stella Okunna.
– First female Physics Professor in Africa ~ Prof. (Mrs) Deborah Ajakaye.
– First Nigerian Muslim female Professor and currently Pro-Chancellor at FUOYE ~ Prof. Saida Mabadeje nee Anibaba
– First Female Professor of Chemistry in Nigeria ~ Prof. (Mrs) Modupe Ogunlesi.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Quantity Surveying in Africa ~ Prof Olubola Babalola.
– First female Nigerian Professor of Accounting ~ Prof. Jane Ande.
– First Female Professor of physiotherapy in Africa ~ Prof. Arinola O. Sanya.
– First Female Professor of Computer Science ~ Prof Adenike Osofisan.
– First female Professor of Chemical Engineering in Nigeria ~Professor (Mrs) P.K. Igbokwe
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Mathematics Education and female Vice-Chancellor ~ Prof. (Mrs). Grace Allele-Williams.
– First female Professor of Animal Breeding & Genetics in Nigeria~Prof. Adebambo Ayoka.O. Ayoka-Olufunmilayo
– First Female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world ~ Prof. (Mrs). Omotayo Olutoye
– First Female Professor of Agriculture in Nigeria and First Female Professor of Agricultural Economics in Africa ~ Professor (Mrs) Tomilayo O. Adekanye.
– First Nigerian Female Professor of Urban and Regional Planning ~ Prof.(Mrs).Ogbazi Joy Ukamaka.
