Prof. Kenneth Dike – The first Nigerian Professor of History and the first professor in Nigeria, hail from Ọka, Anambra State.
Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme – The first Nigerian Professor of Music, from Oko, Anambra State.
Prof. Nzebunwa Aguwa – Nigeria’s first Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, from Eke-Nguru, Imo State.
Prof. Vincent C. B. Nwuga – The first Nigerian Professor of Physiotherapy, from Ahaba, Delta State.
HRH Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien – Nigeria’s first Professor of Physiology, also from Ahaba, Delta State.
Prof. Eni Njoku – The first Nigerian Professor of Botany, from Ohafia, Abia State.
Prof. Nwoye Adichie – The first Nigerian Professor of Statistics, from Abba, Anambra State (father of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie).
Prof. Chike Obi – Nigeria’s first Professor of Mathematics, from Anambra State.
Prof. John A. Umeh – The first Nigerian Professor of Estate Management, from Nnobi, Anambra State.
Prof. Julius Onuorah Onah – The first Nigerian Professor of Marketing, from Orba, Enugu State.
Prof. Joseph O. Irukwu – The first Nigerian Professor of Insurance, from Iteem, Abia State.
Prof. Dennis Ugwuegbu – Nigeria’s first Professor of Psychology, from Ọrlụ, Imo State.
First Female Nigerian Professors:
Prof. (Mrs) Babalola Chinedum Peace – The first Nigerian Female Professor of Pharmacy.
Prof. (Mrs) Chinyere Stella Okunna – Nigeria’s first Female Professor of Mass Communication.
Prof. (Mrs) P.K. Igbokwe – The first Nigerian Female Professor of Chemical Engineering.
Prof. (Mrs) Grace Alele-Williams – Nigeria’s first Female Professor of Mathematics Education.
Prof. (Mrs) Ogbazi Joy Ukamaka – The first Nigerian Female Professor of Urban and Regional Planning.
Prof. (Mrs) Ebele J. Emengini – Nigeria’s first Female Professor of Surveying and Geoinformatics.
This list celebrates the pioneers from the Igbo nation who have made significant contributions to academia in Nigeria across various fields.
