First black Vice Chancellor of the university of Ibadan – Professor Kenneth Dike
First ever Vice Chancellor of the university of Lagos – Professor Eni Njoku
First Rector of Yaba College of Technology was Igbo.
First Professor of Mathematics – Chike Obi
First Professor of Differential Calculus – James Ezeilo
First Professor of History – Kenneth Dike
First Professor of Botany – Eni Njoku (from Ohafia, Abia State. Still alive at 98 years old)
First Professor of Anatomy and Physiology – Chike Edozie
First Professors of Physics – Okoye and Alexander Anumalu
First Professor of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry – Frank Ndili
First Professor of Statistics – Adichie
First Professor of Anthropology in Nigeria, Professor Ikenna Nzimiro
First Professor of Medicine – Kodilinye (became a professor of Medicine at the University of London as far back as 1952)
First Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics – Ntukoju
First Professor of Demography and Statistical Research – Okonjo (had a double PhD in Mathematics and Economics)
First Professor of Philosophy – G D Okafor
First Professor of Economics – Pius Okigbo
First Professor of Theology and Theological Research – Njoku
First Nigerian to teach at Harvard University was an Igbo man, Prof Keneth Dike-Jacob Olupona
First female pilot Chinyere Onyenaucheya
First Graduate of Oxford University to enroll into The Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
‘ Paul Anber’s essay “Modernization and Political Disintegration: Nigeria and the Ibos” published in the journal of Modern African Studies vol. 5, No 2 (Sep, 1967) 163-179. To be more specific see pp 171-172, and let me quote the relevant portion of Dr. Anber’s essay:
” ” A system of Universal primary education was introduced in Eastern Nigeria in 1953, though the mission schools had already prospered in the Region long before then. Despite the fact that there was a requirement for limited contributory fees, education continued to be very much in demand. Even at the time when universal primary education was first introduced, the percentage of the population over seven years of age who were literate was higher in the East than in any other Region: East, 10.6 per cent; West 9.5 percent; North, 0.9 percent. Since 1959, the East has had more teachers and pupils than any other area of the country, with the heaviest emphasis on primary education. Figures for elementary and secondary education indicate that the approximate ratio of teachers to population in 1963 was 1 to every 1,500 in the East, 1 to every 2,500 in th West, and 1 for every 10,000 in the north. Other statistical data reveal how rapidly the standard of living rose among Ibos. The East had the most extensive hospital facilities in the country by 1965, the largest regional production of electricity in the country by 1954, and the greatest number of vehicle registrations by 1963. The economic orientation of the Ibos was also reflected through membership of credit associations:in 1963 the East had 68,220 individual members, the west 5,776, and the north a mere 2,407.” ”…
His source was the Annual Abstract of Statistics ( Federal Office of Statistics, Lagos, 1965), Table 2.4, p. 14..
The Global Views 