1948: First Female Students Of The University Of Ibadan

These distinguished alumnae of University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) are remarkable women who have significantly contributed to the advancement of education in Nigeria. They truly embody the essence of empowerment!

The photograph was taken on their graduation day in 1953.

1. Florence Gabrielle Abio̩la Adeniran (née Martins).
2. Oluso̩lape Folaşade Ifaturoti (née Akinkugbe).
3. Grace Awe̩ni Alele-Williams (née Alele).
4. Adetowun O̩mo̩lara Oguns̩e̩ye̩ (née Banjo̩).

FLORENCE GABRIELLE ABIOLA ADENIRAN

Gabrielle Abio̩la Adeniran, LRCP (Lond.), MRCS (Eng), MPH (Mich), is a Nigerian surgeon and medical professional born in October 1930. She was the first woman in Nigeria to earn a medical degree and became the first female Director of the Nigerian Health Management Board in 1986. She is married to Barrister Adedapo̩ Adeniran, a lawyer and author, and they have two children. She retired from her medical career in 1990.

OLUSOLAPE FOLASADE IFATUROTI

A noble and virtuous woman, she is also a compassionate mother. She attended Queens College, Lagos, and was admitted to University College Ibadan (UCI) at the age of 19.

GRACE AWENI ALELE-WILLIAMS

Born in 1932, she was a professor of Mathematics Education and the first female Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria at the University of Benin. She studied at University College, Ibadan, and earned a Doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1963, becoming the first woman to receive a Doctorate in Nigeria. She returned to Nigeria for postdoctoral work at the University of Ibadan before joining the University of Lagos in 1965.

ADETOWUN OMOLARA OGUNSEYE

Born in December 1926 in Benin City, she was the first female professor in Nigeria and the first professor of Library and Information Science. She was also the first Nigerian woman to earn a degree from Cambridge University and is an advocate for women’s social rights. In 1973, she received a scholarship to study Geography at Newnham College, University of Cambridge.

These women are all trailblazers who have challenged long-standing stereotypes regarding the educational value of girls.