Don Says UI Not The First University Of Nigeria

For many decades, University of Ibadan has been known to be the first and the oldest university in Nigeria, older than Nigeria herself. It was established in 1948 and has affiliation with the university of London before it was taken over by the Nigerian government after independent.

Prof. Ebun Clark, the wife of late JP Clark, one of the Nigerian foremost poet and playwright has refuted this old order. She told a hall filled University of Lagos, Unilag students recently in Lagos that the reason Unilag was rated as the pride of Nigeria and first choice university was because Unilag was actually the first university of Nigeria and also the first federal university of Nigeria.

She made this revelation at a public book presentation titled, “Emerging Perspectives on J.P. Clark and His Works” held at Unilag on Tuesday. The book was edited by Hope Eghagha and Solomon Azumurana.

She revealed further that the purported reports about University of Ibadan being the first university of Nigeria was not true.

In her words, “When you said Unilag is the pride of Nigeria, I don’t really think you know why? She asked the cheering students.

"University of Ibadan is the oldest awarding degree in Nigeria. It is not the oldest Nigerian University. The degree awarded in the university of Ibadan read university of London.

“When Nigeria became independent in 1960, Nigeria set up her own University, by act of parliament. Which is the University of Lagos.

"Nobody can sue me for this, because I have first hand information about what I am saying. I was a staff of University of Ibadan and among the first staff of university of Lagos when it started.

"When we became federal republic in 1963, Unilag became the first federal university of Nigeria, “ she said.