Nigeria has produced remarkable women who have shattered barriers in education and academic leadership.

From physics, mathematics and computer science to agriculture and law, these female scholars became pioneers in their fields and opened doors for future generations.

Here are 10 Nigerian female professors whose groundbreaking achievements helped shape the country’s academic and scientific landscape:

1. Felicia Adetoun Ogunsheye — Ogun State

Professor Felicia Adetoun Ogunsheye is widely recognized as Nigeria’s first female professor. She achieved this historic milestone in 1973 when she became a professor of Library Science at the University of Ibadan. A native of Ogun State, Ogunsheye devoted her career to the advancement of library science, academic research, and information management in Nigeria. She was instrumental in modernizing library education and played a key role in mentoring future librarians and scholars across Nigerian universities. Her work also strongly promoted women’s participation in higher education.

2. Francisca Nneka Okeke — Anambra State

Professor Francisca Nneka Okeke is a renowned Nigerian physicist and the first female professor of physics in Nigeria. She is a respected scholar in space science and ionospheric physics. Born in Anambra State, Okeke’s research focuses on the study of the Earth’s upper atmosphere and how solar activity affects communication systems. She received international recognition, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme award for her contributions to science. Her achievements have inspired many young Nigerian women to pursue careers in physics and other STEM fields.

3. Adenike Osofisan — Ondo State

Professor Adenike Osofisan is one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars in computer science and artificial intelligence. She is the first Nigerian woman to hold a Ph.D. in Computer science, a feat she accomplished in 1989. Originally from Ondo State, she became the first female professor of Computer Science at the University of Ibadan. Osofisan has contributed significantly to research in machine learning, knowledge representation, and information systems. Beyond research, she has supervised numerous postgraduate students and helped shape the development of computer science education in Nigeria, while also advocating for greater female participation in technology and computing.

4. Ayoka Olufunmilayo Adebambo — Ogun State

Professor Ayoka Olufunmilayo Adebambo is a distinguished scholar in animal breeding and genetics. She is the first female professor and first Head of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics in Nigeria. She has made significant contributions to agricultural science through research on livestock improvement and sustainable farming practices. A native of Ogun State, Adebambo served in several leadership roles at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, where she mentored many young scientists. Her work has helped improve food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria through scientific innovations in livestock management.

5. Tomilayo Adekanye — Osun State

Professor Tomilayo Adekanye is a Nigerian professor of agricultural economics. She was the first female professor in any agricultural-related field in Nigeria and the first in agricultural economics in Africa. She commenced her university teaching career as staff member of Department of Agricultural Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) between 1966 and 1975. She moved subsequently to University of Ibadan’s Department of Agricultural Economics, as Lecturer I (1975), rising to the ranks of Senior Lecturer (1977), Associate Professor (Reader), and, in 1980, to the full position of Professor in 1983. Between 1990 and 1991, she was the Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Oyo State. She is also a one-time commissioner of agriculture in the state.

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6. Maimuna Waziri — Yobe State

Maimuna Waziri is a Nigerian professor of chemistry and the third Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Gashua. She was appointed in 2021 after the fifth council meeting of the university. Her emergence as the third VC of Federal University of Gashua was after competing with 47 professors in the school, 25 were interrogated by the council and she was appointed by the council from the three best candidates as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Gashua. In 2023, Maimuna as the Vice-Chancellor of FUG chaired the appointment of Ibrahim Ahmed Jajere and Mohammed Attai Yakubu as the Deputy Vice-Chancellors of Academics and Administration of the school, respectively.

7. Bolanle Awe — Oyo State

Professor Bolanle Awe is a pioneering historian and gender studies scholar. She was the first female professor in the Department of History at the University of Ibadan. Born in Oyo State. She became the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2005. She has been called a Nigerian “intellectual hero”.

Awe is well known for her groundbreaking work on women’s roles in Nigerian history. She also founded the Women’s Research and Documentation Centre, which promotes gender research and advocacy. Her work has been instrumental in documenting the contributions of Nigerian women to national development.

8. Grace Alele Williams — Delta State

Professor Grace Alele Williams was the first Nigerian woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics. Originally from Delta State, she broke barriers in the field of mathematics during a time when very few women pursued advanced scientific studies.

She was the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria, at the University of Benin. Williams taught mathematics at the University of Ibadan and became a strong advocate for mathematics education in Nigeria. Her pioneering achievements opened doors for many Nigerian women in mathematics and the sciences. She died in 2022.

9. Jadesola Olayinka Akande — Lagos State

Professor Jadesola Olayinka Akandelisten (CON, OFR) was a Nigerian lawyer, author and academic who was regarded as the first Nigerian female professor of Law. From Lagos State, she served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University. Akande was widely respected for her expertise in constitutional law and her leadership in higher education management. She died in 2008.

10. Deborah Ajakaiye — Kogi State

Professor Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye was born in 1940 in Plateau State in Northern Nigeria, is a Nigerian geophysicist. She is the first female physics professor in Africa and her work in geophysics has played an important role in mining in Nigeria. (The Nation)

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