We present to you, today, the first female student of the University College Ibadan and the first female Professor in Nigeria, Professor Felicia Adetowun Ogunsheye.
Professor Felicia Adetowun Ogunsheye was born on the 5th of December, 1926 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. She had her secondary school education at the prestigious Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, and proceeded to Yaba Higher College, the then University College, Ibadan, where she bagged her Higher College Teaching Diploma as the first female undergraduate of the Yaba institution. Prof. Ogunseye bagged the prize for the best female graduating student and got a scholarship to Cambridge. She jetted out of Nigeria for Newham College, Cambridge and Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, United States for her first degree.
Prof. Ogunsheye completed her studies in the States in 1952, and came back to Nigeria to become a teacher at the Anglican Girls’ Grammar School in Ilesha (now named St. Margaret’s School). She also taught at the St. Anne’s School in Ibadan before returning to Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts in 1961 for her second degree programme. After her second degree, she came back to Nigeria and joined the Library Staff of the University of Ibadan where she worked her way diligently in various capacities to the Chief Executive Officer of the University Press.
Prof. Ogunsheye is not just a pioneer; she also has one of the most impressive resumes of any female in Nigeria. She was a member of Banjo Commission which was set up to do a comprehensive review and Report of the educational system of Western Nigeria. She has initiated various educational programmes and associations to promote the empowerment of women and others in the society. One of such is the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS). As at 1965, she was the President of the Nigerian Association of University Women.
In 1973, she became a Professor of Library and retired in 1987 from the university system. But the never weary woman that she is prompted her to take up some other public assignments. She wrote the first academic research on women in Nigeria titled “The Role and Status of Women in Nigeria”, and also “The Role of Library in Education Management.
Prof. Ogunsheye believes that politics and education are of different jurisdiction and therefore conclude that education or academician should be autonomous of political appointment. She thinks that the government has no business appointing vice chancellors for universities and that universities should be given enough autonomy which will also include the power to choose their own administrators. She stated that the government should do more to fund research and teaching facilities in the universities but that admitting student should be the ‘absolute rights’ of the universities.
Prof. Ogunsheye believes that standard must be set for the university system. She believes that students must be admitted on merit and non-discrimination to all and sundry irrespective of one’s tribe or state. She is also of the belief that education should be free from primary to secondary levels but the most important thing should be the quality.
Prof. Ogunsheye is one of the matrons of the Senior Citizens Care Foundation (SCCF), a non-governmental organization. She was also the Secretary- General of Yoruba Parapo
She has recorded various lifetime achievements in her field and has been awarded with various kinds of honours. Among such awards is the life time achievement for her contributions to the growth and stability of publishing and book trade in the country in 2012.
Prof. Mrs Felicia Adetowun Ogunsheye, the Commission lauds you for your meritorious service to humanity and immeasurable contribution to academics in Nigeria.
As you look forward to celebrating your 88th birthday in December, we earnestly pray that the rest of your years will be the best of your years.
God Bless You Mama!!!
Culled: DAWN Commission
