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Felicia Adetoun Ogunseye: Nigeria’s First Female Professor

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Professor Felicia Adetowun Ogunseye (née Banjo) holds the historic distinction of being Nigeria’s first female professor. A pioneer in Library and Information Science, she built a career that permanently transformed opportunities for women in higher education across the country.

Early Life and Education

Born on December 5, 1926, in Benin City, Ogunseye began breaking barriers early in life.

In 1946, she became the first female student admitted to Yaba Higher College, an institution then overwhelmingly male.

By 1948, she graduated with a teaching diploma, becoming its first female graduate.

Her academic journey continued abroad at the University of Cambridge, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography (1952) and later a Master of Arts (1956). She became the first Nigerian woman to receive a degree from Cambridge.

In 1962, she obtained a Master’s in Library Science from Simmons College (now Simmons University), equipping her for a distinguished career in librarianship, scholarship, and institutional development.

Academic Milestones

In 1973, Ogunseye was appointed Professor at the University of Ibadan, making her:

Nigeria’s first female professor

The first Professor of Library and Information Science in Nigeria

Between 1977 and 1979, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Education, becoming the first woman to hold a dean’s position in any Nigerian university. She retired in 1987 after decades of mentoring students and shaping Nigeria’s academic landscape.

Advocacy and National Impact

Beyond the university, Professor Ogunseye championed:

Women’s access to higher education

School library development nationwide

Children’s literacy initiatives

She founded the Abadina Media Resources Centre in Ibadan and worked as a consultant for international organisations including UNESCO and the World Bank. Her work consistently emphasized the connection between information access, education, and national development.

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Family Background

Professor Ogunseye came from a family marked by remarkable achievement and historical tragedy.
Her younger brother, Victor Adebukunola Banjo, was a senior officer in the Biafran Army during the Nigerian Civil War. He was executed on September 25, 1967, on allegations of plotting a coup against Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Another brother, Ademola Banjo, excelled academically—graduating with a first-class degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester in 1952 and later becoming the first Nigerian to earn a doctorate in Metallurgical Engineering in 1954.

Legacy

Now in her late nineties, Professor Felicia Adetowun Ogunseye remains a living symbol of courage, intellect, and perseverance. Her life story reflects the journey of a woman who entered institutions not originally designed for her, reshaped them through excellence, and left doors permanently open for generations of Nigerian women scholars.

Honors

Ogunsheye has received numerous accolades, including the Ford International Fellowship (1961), the Honorary D.L.S. from Simmons College (1969), the Fulbright Fellowship for Senior African Scholars (1980), and the Decade of Women Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement (1985). She was named a Fellow of the Nigerian Library Association (1982) and the Nigerian Academy of Education (1985). In 1990, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) from the University of Maiduguri. She was also given the chieftaincy title of Iyalaje of Ile-Oluji in 1982. The University of Ibadan honored her by naming a female postgraduate hall after her.

Works

Ogunsheye’s academic publications include:

“The Role and Status of Women in Nigeria” (1960)
“A Preliminary Bibliography of the Yoruba Language” (1963)
“Library Education in Nigeria” (1968)
“Problem of Bibliographic Services in Nigeria” (1969)
“The Future of Library Education in Africa” (1976)
“Abadina Media Resource Centre: A Case Study in Library Service to Primary Schools” (1979)
She also edited Nigerian Women and Development (1988) and authored A Break in the Silence: A Historical Note on Lt. Colonel Victor Adebukunola Banjo (2001).
Children’s Books
My Alphabet Reading Book (1993)
My First Alphabet Book: A B C (1996)
My First Number Book: 1 2 3 (1996)
Lara and Kariba (2003)

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Archives

Her archives are now accessible to researchers, and the finding aids are available online.

Source

University of Ibadan archival records

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Ibadan indigenes warn politicians against disrespecting Olubadan

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The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, on Monday, read a riot act to the politicians in Oyo State, especially in the ancient city, over disrespecting the sacred stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland, warning that any attempt to denigrate the revered stool will be met with severe consequences.

CCII President-General, Ajeniyi Ajewole, gave this warning in a statement released by the council’s Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, in Ibadan, the state capital, amid growing concerns over rising reckless  utterances and conducts in the state by some power-seeking politicians

He said recent actions by some political actors had crossed acceptable boundaries and posed a risk to the dignity of traditional institutions in Ibadanland.

Ajewole stressed that the council would not tolerate any form of disrespect directed at the Olubadan stool, warning further that the CCII would not sit idly by and watch the Olubadan throne desecrated for political gain.

CCII said, “The stool is sacred to the people of Ibadanland and must be treated with the highest respect at all times. Any attempt to denigrate the revered stool will be met with severe consequences.”

The PG added that the Olubadan remains a unifying father figure to all indigenes and residents of Ibadan, regardless of political affiliation.

He said, “All politicians in Oyo are sons and daughters of the Olubadan. They must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint, and absolute respect for the institution.

“Any attempt at casting aspersions on the person of Olubadan and the stool and turning around to tender any apology would not be tolerated any longer. You mess up with that stool, you must be ready to face the consequence(s).

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“The palace can never become any politician’s pawn; it is our symbol of strength and unity. This is the last time such nonsense will be condoned. Let politicians be warned, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. We will defend our tradition, our heritage, and our dignity,” the council warned.

It also reiterated that the institution is strictly non-partisan and has continued to maintain neutrality and respect for all political actors in the state.

The council expressed strong displeasure over incidents where politicians were seen raining curses on their opponents, describing such conduct as irresponsible and unacceptable.

Ajewole, therefore, urged political actors to exercise restraint, warning that political differences must never be allowed to escalate into attacks on cultural and traditional institutions.

He called for maturity in political engagement, saying, “Politics should never be reduced to insults, curses, or hostility. We urge all political actors to rise above bitterness and act in the interest of peace and unity.”

The CCII reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the sanctity of the Olubadan stool and called on all stakeholders to ensure that respect, peace, and decorum remain central to political activities in the state.

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Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, wife welcome triplet sons

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Popular Nollywood actor, Lateef Adedimeji, on Friday announced the arrival of his triplet sons with his wife and fellow actress, Adebimpe Oyebade, popularly known as Mo Bimpe.

Adedimeji made the announcement via his official Instagram page, sharing an emotional message in which he described the children as his world, responsibility, and legacy.

“I’ve been quiet… not absent. I was building, protecting, and embracing the greatest blessing of my life. God gave me more than I prayed for — a woman who became a mother of three, and three kings to call my own,” he wrote.

The actor, who closed the post with the Islamic expression of gratitude, “Alhamdulilah,” did not disclose the date of birth or the names of the children.

The announcement drew an outpouring of congratulations from fans and colleagues.

Fellow Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe wrote, “To God be the glory. Congratulations.”

OloyedeJuliana also wrote, “God is Good!!! God is Good!!!God is Good!!! Watching this again, I’m in tears, congratulations my fam, so happy for you two. Can’t believe
I’m an Auntie”

Also reacting, Omowumi Dada wrote, “Such GOODNEWS for the month of May. THANK YOU JESUSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Congratulations fam”

Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe, both prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, had their wedding ceremony in 2021.

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I take full responsibility, Sisi Alagbo’s husband apologises over leaked sex tape

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The husband of popular social media personality Eniola Fagbemi, known as Sisi Alagbo, Adesola Akeem, has issued a public apology over a leaked sex tape involving his wife, himself and another woman.

The video went viral on Monday and has since generated widespread controversy online.

The video, which depicted the trio in an intimate encounter, began circulating on WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels before spreading rapidly to gossip blogs, Instagram pages and explicit-content websites.

In the footage, Fagbemi is seen filming Akeem having sexual relations with the third woman while all three were unclothed. It remains unclear how the video made its way online.

Akeem, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, said he took full responsibility for his actions and acknowledged the disappointment the incident had caused.

“I write with a deep sense of responsibility and sincere remorse to extend my heartfelt apologies to my family, friends, business associates, religious leaders, fans, loved ones, and the entire Nigerian public over the recent incident involving a leaked sex scandal.

“I acknowledge the disappointment, embarrassment, and concern this situation has caused, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he wrote.

He added that his conduct had fallen short of the values expected of him by those who had trusted and supported him.

Akeem also directed specific apologies to family members, friends, business associates, and religious bodies.

“To my fans and supporters, I deeply regret letting you down,” he said.

He described the period as one of reflection and said he was committed to making better decisions and rebuilding trust.

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“I am committed to making better decisions, rebuilding trust, and upholding integrity in both my private and public life going forward,” he added.

Sisi Alagbo had on Wednesday also apologised on her verified Facebook account, saying she had been unable to eat or sleep since the video emerged.

“I own my mistakes, and I apologize with all sincerity for the video circulating online. I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me,” she wrote.

Fagbemi rose to prominence through her promotion of herbal concoctions and became a social media sensation after a viral video of her kneeling to greet Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

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