THE FIRST PROFESSOR IN NIGERIA!

Professor Kenneth Dike (1917-1983) was Nigeria’s first professor, a distinguished historian and academic who greatly influenced African history and culture.

Born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, Professor Dike pursued his early education in Nigeria and the UK. He earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Aberdeen in 1950 and subsequently returned to Nigeria to teach at the University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan).

In 1956, he became the first Nigerian appointed as a professor, serving as the Professor of History at the University of Ibadan. A trailblazer in African history, he authored several seminal works, including “Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta” and “A Hundred Years of British Rule in Nigeria”.

Professor Dike’s contributions to education and academia have been widely recognized and celebrated. He remains a revered figure in Nigerian history and an inspiration to future scholars and academics.