Below is a list of some of the first Igbo professors in various academic disciplines, based on available historical records and web sources.
The Igbo people, primarily from southeastern Nigeria, have made significant contributions to academia, and this list highlights pioneering Igbo professors in their respective fields.
Due to the complexity of historical records, this list may not be exhaustive, and some fields may lack clear documentation of the "first" Igbo professor.
Where possible, I’ve included details about their contributions, ensuring accuracy with the information available.
FIRST IGBO PROFESSORS BY DISCIPLINE
(1) History: PROFESSOR KENNETH DIKE
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of History and the first African Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (1960).
Dike was a pioneering historian who advanced African historical scholarship, notably through works like Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta.
(2) Music: PROFESSOR LAZARUS EKWUEME
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of Music, known for his contributions to ethnomusicology and African music theory.
(3) Clinical Pharmacy: PROFESSOR NZEBUNWA AGUWA
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, recognized for advancing pharmaceutical education and practice.
(4) Physiotherapy: PROFESSOR VINCENT C. B. NWUGA
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of Physiotherapy, contributing to the development of physiotherapy education in Nigeria.
(5) Physiology: HRH PROFESSOR JOSEPH CHIKE EDOZIEN
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of Physiology, known for his work in medical education and as the Asagba of Asaba.
(6) Botany: PROFESSOR ENI NJOKU
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of Botany and the first Nigerian Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (1962–1965). His work focused on plant science and educational leadership.
(7) Statistics: PROFESSOR JAMES NWOYE ADICHIE
Achievement: First Nigerian Professor of Statistics, also known as the father of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. He was a prominent academic at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
(8) Igbo Language and Linguistics: PROFESSOR EMMANUEL NWANOLUE EMENANJỌ
Achievement: First Professor of Igbo Language, renowned for his groundbreaking work in Igbo linguistics, grammar, and cultural preservation. His publications, such as A Grammar of Contemporary Igbo (2015) and Elements of Modern Igbo Grammar (1978), standardized Igbo language studies.
(9) Philosophy (African Philosophy): PROFESSOR TIMOTHY UZODINMA NWALA (born 1942)
Achievement: Recognized as the first Nigerian graduate in philosophy from an indigenous university and the "father of contemporary African Philosophy." He developed African Philosophy courses adopted globally and authored Igbo Philosophy.
(10) Mass Communication (Female): PROFESSOR CHINYERE STELLA OKUNNA
Achievement: First Nigerian Female Professor of Mass Communication, contributing to media studies and communication education.
(11) Chemical Engineering (Female): PROFESSOR P.K. IGBOKWE
Achievement: First Nigerian Female Professor of Chemical Engineering, advancing research and education in the field.
(12) Urban and Regional Planning (Female): Professor Ogbazi Joy Ukamaka
Achievement: First Nigerian Female Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, recognized for her work in urban development and policy.
(13) Physics and Space Weather: PROFESSOR FRANCISCA NNEKA OKEKE
Achievement: First female Igbo Professor of Physics and Space Weather, and the first female Head of the Physics Department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her research focused on geomagnetism and space science.
(14) Literary Scholarship:
PROFESSOR MICHAEL JOSEPH CHUKWUDALU ECHERUO
Achievement: Distinguished literary scholar and former president of the Modern Language Association of America, recognized as a pioneer in Igbo and African literary studies.
(15) African and Igbo History
PROFESSOR ELIZABETH ALLO ISICHEI (Igbo by marriage)
Achievement: Pioneering historian and author of A History of the Igbo People, recognized for her contributions to Igbo historical scholarship.
(16) Linguistics and African Languages:
PROFESSOR FREDERICK NNABUENYI UGONNA
Achievement: Pioneering linguist and expert in African languages, instrumental in promoting Igbo language studies.
(17) Astronomy.
PROFESSOR SAMUEL EJIKEME OK OYE
Achievement: The first professor of Astronomy in Nigeria was Samuel Ejikeme Okoye. He became a professor in 1976 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he played a pivotal role in establishing astronomy as a discipline. Okoye was also the first Black African to earn a PhD in radio astronomy, which he obtained from the University of Cambridge in 1965. His efforts led to the creation of the Space Research Centre at the University of Nigeria in 1972, significantly advancing astronomy and space science education in Nigeria.
(18) First Nigerian Professor at Harvard Law School
Achievement: Professor Dehlia Umunna is a notable figure. She is described as a Nigerian-American legal scholar and the first Nigerian to be appointed as a professor at Harvard Law School in 2015, where she serves as a Clinical Professor of Law and Deputy Director at the Harvard Law School Criminal Justice Institute.
Compiled by Obinna Of-Igweocha
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