In 1951, Nigeria marked a defining milestone in its educational and healthcare history: the graduation of the first set of medical doctors trained locally at University College, Ibadan (UCI). This historic event symbolized the beginning of self-reliance in medical training, reducing dependence on British institutions, and laying the groundwork for modern medical education in the country.

The Birth of Medical Training in Nigeria

University College, Ibadan, was established in 1948 as the country’s first university-level institution. It began as an affiliate of the University of London, which supervised its curriculum and examinations to ensure international standards. Among its earliest faculties was the Faculty of Medicine, designed specifically to address the shortage of indigenous doctors in colonial Nigeria.

Before this development, Nigerians who aspired to practice medicine had to study abroad, mostly in Britain. Notable pioneers such as Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole (1892–1953) trained overseas, often at great personal and financial cost. The establishment of UCI’s medical school changed this dynamic permanently.

The First Seven Medical Doctors

In 1951, only seven students successfully completed the rigorous program to become the first medical graduates trained in Nigeria. This small but groundbreaking group included:

Dr. Ishaya Audu, later the first professor of medicine from Northern Nigeria, Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States.

Dr. Olajide Akinoso, who went on to make significant contributions in medical practice and public health.

Several others who would rise to prominence in clinical medicine, education, and administration.
Though small in number, this cohort represented a turning point in the nation’s history.

Significance of the 1951 Graduation

This graduation was not merely ceremonial; it was revolutionary. For the first time, Nigeria had produced its own cadre of doctors within its borders, trained to the same standards as their British counterparts. The development gave Nigeria confidence in its capacity to sustain higher education and professional training locally.

It also reflected the colonial government’s recognition of the need to indigenize the health sector at a time when infectious diseases, maternal mortality, and shortages of healthcare workers posed urgent national challenges.

Ishaya Audu: A Pioneering Figure

Among the seven, Dr. Ishaya Audu stood out as a trailblazer. Beyond his medical career, he became a statesman and educator, embodying the multiple roles that graduates of that first set would go on to play in Nigeria’s development. His journey illustrated how the medical profession could serve as a springboard for leadership in other national spheres.

From University College, Ibadan to the University of Ibadan

It is important to note that in 1951, the institution was still University College, Ibadan (UCI), functioning under the University of London. Full autonomy came later in 1962, when it was renamed the University of Ibadan (UI), becoming Nigeria’s first independent university. The medical school that began with seven graduates now produces hundreds of doctors annually and remains one of Africa’s foremost training centers.

Legacy

The 1951 graduates were more than pioneers—they were nation-builders. They helped establish the credibility of Nigerian medical education, mentored subsequent generations, and shaped healthcare policies in the decades that followed.

Today, their legacy lives on in the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine, which stands as a leading institution for research, clinical training, and innovation in Africa. The journey that began with seven doctors in 1951 has now produced thousands, ensuring that the vision of self-reliance in healthcare continues to thrive.

Sources
University of Ibadan Archives

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Nigerian students are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to support their studies, according to new Google Search trend data released on Tuesday as schools reopen across the country.

Google said searches combining “AI + studying” rose by more than 200 per cent compared with 2024, showing that learners are not only curious about AI but are actively using it as a study companion. The company explained that students were seeking out AI tutors, free tools, and prompts to guide their work across a variety of subjects.

The data indicated that searches for “AI + chemistry” grew 50 per cent, while “AI + maths” and “AI + languages” each climbed 30 per cent. Queries linking AI to grammar also recorded a 20 per cent rise.

Google reported that popular search questions included “What is the best AI in the world for solving mathematical problems?” and “how to use AI to solve math problems”.

Google’s West Africa Director, Olumide Balogun, said the trend showed that students were embracing AI as a way to deepen their learning.

Balogun said Nigerian learners were not just using AI for answers but as a tool to deepen their understanding of complex subjects, from chemistry to mathematics. He added that the company was committed to providing tools that would empower students to learn, grow, and succeed.

Google noted that interest in AI was spreading beyond schoolwork. Searches such as “how to use AI” and “what is the full meaning of AI” each rose 80 per cent, while “who is the father of AI” increased 70 per cent.

At the same time, queries for “AI detection” jumped 290 per cent, a development Google said reflected a wider conversation about responsible use and academic integrity.

The company also pointed out that career-focused searches were rising. It said “Generative AI” had emerged as a breakout search term in the past 12 months, often appearing alongside “professional certification”, suggesting that young Nigerians were positioning themselves for the future workforce.

Google said the findings highlighted a broader national trend, with AI-related searches in Nigeria hitting an all-time high in 2025, up 60 per cent in the last year.

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St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic boys’ secondary schools. Since its establishment in 1928, the school has maintained a reputation for academic rigor, discipline, and moral formation, nurturing generations of leaders and professionals who have shaped Nigeria’s social, political, and cultural landscape.

Founding and Early History

St. Gregory’s College was founded in 1928 by the Catholic Mission in Lagos, under the leadership of Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor, SMA, and Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier O’Rourke, SMA, both members of the Society of African Missions (SMA). The school was established during a period of rapid missionary expansion in colonial Lagos, where education was becoming a powerful tool for social advancement and Christian formation.

Named after Pope Gregory the Great (540–604 AD)—a reformer of the early Church and a champion of education—the school embodied the Catholic mission’s dual commitment to faith and learning. Its foundation reflected the Catholic Church’s determination to provide quality education in a colonial setting dominated by Protestant and government schools.

Location and Facilities

The college is located in Ikoyi–Obalende, Lagos State, less than a kilometer from Tafawa Balewa Square, one of Nigeria’s most symbolic colonial and post-independence landmarks. Designed as a boarding and day school, St. Gregory’s attracted students from across Nigeria and neighboring countries, offering a holistic education that combined intellectual development, moral training, and Catholic spirituality.

Catholic Identity and Mission

At the heart of St. Gregory’s lies its Catholic ethos. The daily life of students traditionally included Mass, catechism, and regular prayer, alongside classroom learning and sports. This integration of faith and academics is captured in its motto:

Pro Fide et Scientia — For Faith and Knowledge.

This motto remains a guiding principle, reminding students that their pursuit of excellence must always be grounded in moral values and service.

Academic and Extracurricular Life

Since its inception, St. Gregory’s College has been known for rigorous academics, excelling in sciences, arts, and humanities. Many graduates pursued higher education both in Nigeria and abroad, becoming pioneers in law, medicine, engineering, politics, business, and the clergy.

The school is also celebrated for its sporting tradition, particularly in football and athletics, producing athletes who represented Nigeria at national and international levels. Music, debate, and drama thrived in the school, nurturing talents that later contributed to Nigeria’s cultural renaissance.

Notable Alumni

Over nearly a century, St. Gregory’s College has produced an impressive list of alumni across diverse fields. Among them are:

Chief Anthony Enahoro – nationalist, politician, and journalist who moved the first motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953.

Chief Ernest Shonekan – interim Head of State of Nigeria in 1993 and business leader.

Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie – Archbishop of Lagos and one of the most influential Catholic leaders in Nigeria.

Chris Okotie – pastor, lawyer, and former pop musician.

King Sunny Adé – world-renowned juju musician and cultural icon.

Justice Augustine Nnamani – former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Numerous prominent business executives, judges, academics, and public servants.

Legacy and Continuing Influence

As St. Gregory’s approaches its centenary in 2028, it stands as a living testament to the enduring role of Catholic missionary education in Nigeria. Its alumni network spans the globe, and its legacy of discipline, intellectual achievement, and Catholic values continues to inspire new generations.

The school’s impact extends far beyond its classrooms. It has been integral to Nigeria’s educational history, shaping the country’s leadership class and preserving a tradition of excellence that blends faith, culture, and modern education.

Sources
Fafunwa, A. Babs. History of Education in Nigeria. George Allen & Unwin, 1974.

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