The first female minister of Nigeria, Chief Adenike Ebun Oyagbola, is dead.
She died at the age of 94 on Friday, February 28.
Chief Adenike Ebun Oyagbola
She was from the family of Akinola of Igan-Alade in Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State.
Born on May 5, 1931, Oyagbola was a pioneering politician and diplomat.
She began her career as a teacher before traveling abroad for further studies in accounting.
Upon returning, she joined the Federal Civil Service in 1963.
In 1979, she made history as Nigeria’s first female cabinet minister when she was appointed Minister of National Planning under President Shehu Shagari’s administration.
She served in that role until 1983. Oyagbola later became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, with concurrent accreditation to Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Beyond her political career, she was the President of the Nigerian chapter of Attitudinal Healing International, a global organization focused on mental and emotional well-being.
Her contributions to Nigeria’s governance and international representation remain significant, and she will be remembered for paving the way for women in leadership.
