The First University in Nigeria: University of Ibadan

Nigeria has a great history, most of which is unfortunately undocumented. Amalgamated in 1914 by Lord. Lugard, education grew rapidly, especially in the South Western region. So rapid that the region can boast of the first university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

8km from the centre of the major city, Ibadan, the University of Ibadan popularly called ‘UI’, the was established in November 1948 making the university the oldest university in Nigeria.  It is the only and first indigenous university that was established before the country gained independence.

The University of Ibadan became a full-fledged independent university in 1962. Prior to that, it was a college of the University of London in a special relationship scheme. The university is a Federal Government controlled public university and one of the most prestigious universities in the country. In time passed, UI graduates were top picks in the employment pool. Initially, the university started off with just programmes in Science, Arts and Medicine but can now talk about having programmes across thirteen faculties namely Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Arts, Pharmacy, Technology, Law, Public Health, Dentistry, Clinical Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, the Social Sciences, Education and Veterinary Medicine.

The University of Ibadan has other units of academia in form of institutes. These institutes range from child health to media, economics, and law. The university also holds postgraduate education bragging rights as up to 50% of enrolments are for postgraduate studies. The school’s postgraduate produces require human resources for the Nigerian system and can firmly compete in both private and public sectors. The University of Ibadan is well recognized within and outside the country. With a goal to promote Nigeria’s development, according to school’s website, UI has established a Research Foundation (UIRF). This is in response to emerging threats to peace and a peaceful co-existence in Africa, the University established the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS) to provide actionable studies and solutions.

The University of Ibadan is nowhere near short of facilities as it has twelve halls of residence for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, 1212 housing units for staff, zoological garden, a media center which houses the campus radio station and a botanical garden. The university also has a library named after its first vice-chancellor, Kenneth Dike. The University of Ibadan has trained so many pioneers, its alumni include Nobel Prize Winner, Wole Soyinka, leading contemporary writer, late. Chinua Achebe, political activist, late. Dr. Ken Saro-Wiwa, Televangelist, and Pastor, late. Bimbo Odukoya, Politician, and Lawyer, late. Chief Bola Ige and many more.

The academic institutes of the University of Ibadan are as follows:

• African Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS)
• Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CEPACS)
• Centre for Petroleum, Energy, Economics and Law (CPEEL)
• Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV)
• Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies
• Centre for Drug Discovery, Development & Production (CDDDP)
• Centre for Control & Prevention of Zoonosis (CCPZ)
• Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT)
• Institute of Child Health
• Institute of Education
• Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI)#
• Centre for Child Adolescent and Mental Health
• Institute of African Studies
• Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS)

The National Institute for Maternal Child & Neonatal Health (NIMCNH) & Institute for Infectious Diseases are under construction and a new School of Business (UISB), is expected to take off later.