Meet the first female University students in Nigeria

In 1948, a historic milestone was achieved in Nigerian education when the University of Ibadan admitted its first female students. This moment marked the beginning of a transformative era in higher education.

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Established in 1948 as an affiliate of the University of London, the University of Ibadan (UI) was Nigeria’s first university. Among the many students admitted into this prestigious institution, only four were women. These trailblazers were not just pioneers in higher education; they became catalysts for societal change. They went on to achieve remarkable milestones—one became Nigeria’s first female vice-chancellor, another the country’s first female professor, another distinguished surgeon. Their legacy continues to inspire generations.

Florence Gabrielle Abiola Adeniran LRCP (Lond.), MRCS (Eng), MPH(Mich)

She is a Nigerian surgeon and medical practitioner. She was born in October 1930. She is the first woman to gain a medical degree in Nigeria, University of Ibadan. She was the first female director of the Nigerian Health Management Board in 1986. She is married to barrister and author Adedapo Adeniran and they have 2 children. She retired from medical service in 1990 leaving indelible marks.

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Olusolape Folasade Ifaturoti (93 years)

She attended Queens College, Lagos and was offered admission to University College Ibadan (UCI) at age 19.

Grace Aweni Alele-Williams (89 years)

She was born in 1932 and in 1948 was one of the women admitted to the University College. In 1985 she was appointed the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria at the University of Benin. Alele-williams Obtained a doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1963 making her the first woman to be awarded a doctorate in Nigeria. She returned to Nigeria for postdoctoral work at the University of Ibadan before joining the University of Lagos where she was appointed a professor of mathematics education. She died in 2022 aged 89 and was survived by five children.

Adetowun Omolara Ogunseye (98years)

She was born in December 1926 in Benin City, Edo state to parents from Ogun State. In 1946 she was the first female student in Yaba college of Technology and also the first female graduate from the institution receiving a diploma in 1948. She is the first female professor in Nigeria and the first professor of Library and Information Services. Ogunseye is also the first Nigerian woman to get a degree from Cambridge University. She is an activist for the social rights of women. She was granted a scholarship to study geography at Newham College of the University of Cambridge earning BA and MA degrees in 1952 and 1956, respectively; she became the first Nigerian woman there. She earned another master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College, Massachusetts. USA, in 1962. In 1973, she became a professor at the University of Ibadan. Between 1977 and 1979, she was appointed as the dean of faculty of education at the same university. She was the first woman to become a dean in any Nigerian university.