Meet Professor Kenneth Dike: Nigeria's First Indigenous Professor

Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike, a distinguished historian and academic, made history in 1956 by becoming the first Nigerian to be appointed as a professor.

Born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1917, Professor Dike received his early education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Aberdeen in 1950.

Professor Dike's contributions to the field of African history and culture are immense. He was a pioneer in the field, writing several influential books, including "Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta" and "A Hundred Years of British Rule in Nigeria".² His work focused on internal African factors, particularly defensive measures undertaken by delta societies against imperialist penetration.

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Dike held various prestigious positions, including Senior Lecturer and Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, and Director of the National Archives of Nigeria. He was also a founder of the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan.

Professor Dike's achievements and contributions to education and academia have been recognized and celebrated in Nigeria and beyond. He remains a celebrated figure in Nigerian history and an inspiration to generations of scholars and academics.