In 1948, Prince Oladele Ajose became the first Nigerian to hold a Professorial Chair in the Country. He later became the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife(now Obafemi Awolowo University).

PIONEER PROFESSORS:
First Nigerian Professor of History ~ Prof Kenneth Dike ( From Awka, Anambra).
First Nigerian Professor of Philosophy ~ Prof Olubi Sodipo (From Ilishan-Remo, Ogun state).
First Nigerian Professor of Linguistics~ Prof Ayo Bamgbose (From Ijebu, Ogun State)
First Nigerian Professor of French Language ~ Prof Evans.
First Nigerian Professor of Arabic and Islamic Language ~ Prof M.O.A Abdul (Ijebu Ode, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Yoruba and African Literature ~ Prof Solomon Adeboye Babalola(From Ipetumodu, Osun State)
First Nigerian Professor of Music ~ Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme (From Oko, Anambra state).
First Nigerian Professor of Theatre and Arts ~ Prof Joel Adeyinka Adedeji (Ekiti State).
First Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria ~ Prof Alfred Opubor (Nigerian-Cotonou).
First Nigerian Professor of Library and Information Science ~ Prof Mrs Adetoun Ogunsheye.
First Nigerian Professor of Education ~ Prof. Aliu Babs Fafunwa (Isale Eko, Lagos State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physical Education ~ Prof. M. Oluwafemi Ajisafe (Ekiti State).
First Nigerian Professor of Tests and Measurement ~ Prof. Dibu Ojerinde (Igboho, Oyo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Law ~ Prof Teslim Olawale Elias (Lagos State)
First Nigerian Professor of Agriculture ~ Prof. Victor Adenuga Oyenuga (Ijebu, Ogun state).
First Nigerian Professor of Animal Science ~ Prof. Gabriel. M. Babatunde (Afijio, Oyo State).
First Nigeria Professor of Forestry ~ Professor Kolade Adeyoju (Ijan-Ekiti, Ekiti State).
First Nigerian professor of clinical pharmacy ~ Prof. Nzebunwa Aguwa (Eke-Nguru, IMO State).
First Nigerian Professor of Medicine ~ Prof. Theophius Ogunlesi (Sagamu, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Nursing ~ Prof (Mrs). Elfrida. O. Adebo (Abeokuta, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physiotherapy ~ Prof. Vincent C. B. Nwuga (Asaba, Delta State).
First Nigerian Professor of Anatomy ~ Prof. Thomas Adesanya Grillo (Lagos State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physiology ~ HRH Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien (Asaba, Delta State).
First Nigerian Professor of psychiatry ~ Prof. Thomas Adeoye Lambo ( Abeokuta, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of public health ~ Prof. Oladele Ajose (Lagos state).
First Nigerian Professor of Nutrition ~ Prof Babatunde Oguntona.
First Nigerian Professor of Paediatrics ~ Prof Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (Abeokuta, Ogun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Botany ~ Prof. Eni Njoku (Ohafia, Abia State).
First Nigerian Professor of Physics ~ Prof. Muyiwa Awe (Esie, Kwara State).
First Nigerian Professor of Parasitology~ Prof. Sanya Onabamiro (Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State)
First Nigerian Professor of statistics ~ Prof. Nwoye Adichie "Chinamanda’s dad (Abba, Anambra).
First Nigerian Professor of Mathematics ~ Prof. Olagoke Olubummo (From Orin-Ekiti, Ekiti State)
First Nigerian Professor of Geology ~ Prof. Mosobolaje O. Oyawoye (Offa, Kwara State).
First Nigerian Professor of Computer Science ~ Prof. Olu Longe.
First Nigerian Professor of Chemistry ~ Prof. Stephen Oluwole Awokoya (Awa-Ijebu, Ogun state).
First Nigerian Professor Of Architecture ~ Prof. Ekundayo Adeyemi (Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State).
First Nigerian Professor of Urban and Regional Planning ~ Prof. Adepoju Onibokun(Iwoye-Ijesha, Osun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Estate Management ~ Prof. John. A. Umeh (Nnobi, Anambra State).
First Nigerian Professor of Accounting ~ Prof. Michael A. Adeyemo (Irun-Akoko, Ondo State)
First Nigerian Professor of Marketing ~ Prof. Julius Onuorah Onah (Orba, Enugu State).
First Nigerian Professor of Insurance ~ Prof. Joseph. O. Irukwu (Eteem, Abia State).
First Nigerian Professor of Chemical Engineering ~ Prof. Sikiru A. Sanni (Ibadan, Oyo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Industrial Engineering ~ Prof. David. E. Osifo (Benin-city, Edo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Civil Engineering ~ Prof. Ifedayo O. Oladapo ( Ondo, Ondo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Petroleum Engineering ~ Prof. Gabriel Kayode Falade
First Nigerian Professor of Mining Engineering ~ Prof. Zacheus Opafunso (Ede, Osun State).
First Nigerian Professor of Public Health Engineering ~ Prof. Paul Aibinuola Oluwande.
First Nigerian Professor of Geography ~ Prof. Akin Mabogunje (Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State)
First Nigerian Professor of Psychology ~ Prof. Dennis Ugwuegbu (Orlu, Imo State).
First Nigerian Professor of Nuclear Physics~ Prof. Cyril Agodi Onwumechili (Enugu State)

FIRST FEMALE PROFESSORS:
- First Nigerian Female Professor ever ~ Prof. (Mrs) Felicia Adetoun Ogunsheye.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Law ~ Prof (Mrs) Jadesola Olayinka Akande.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of History ~ Prof. (Mrs) Bolanle Awe.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Pharmacy ~ Prof. (Mrs) Babalola Chinedum Peace.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Psychiatry ~ Prof. (Mrs) Olayinka Omigbodun.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Mass Communication ~ Prof. (Mrs) Chinyere Stella Okunna.
- First female Physics Professor in Africa ~ Prof. (Mrs) Deborah Ajakaiye.
- First Female Professor of Chemistry in Nigeria ~ Prof. (Mrs) Modupe Ogunlesi.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Quantity Surveying in Africa ~ Prof Olubola Babalola.
- First female Nigerian Professor of Accounting ~ Prof. Jane Ande.
- First Female professor of physiotherapy in Africa ~ Prof. Arinola O. Sanya.
- First Female Professor of Computer Science ~ Prof Adenike Osofisan.
- First female professor of Chemical Engineering in Nigeria ~Professor (Mrs) P.K. Igbokwe
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Mathematics Education ~ Prof. (Mrs). Grace Alele-Williams.
- First female Professor of Animal Breeding & Genetics in Nigeria~Prof. Adebambo Ayoka.O. Ayoka-olufunmilayo
- First Female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world ~ Prof. (Mrs). Omotayo Olutoye
- First Female Professor of Agriculture in Nigeria and First Female Professor of Agricultural Economics in Africa ~ Professor (Mrs)Tomilayo O. Adekanye.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Urban and Regional Planning ~ Prof.(Mrs).Ogbazi Joy Ukamaka.
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Opthalmology ~ Prof. (Mrs) Oyinade Olurin(Ogun State)
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Theatre Arts~ Prof. (Mrs) Zulu Sofola(Delta State)
- First Nigerian Female Professor of Architecture ~ Prof. (Mrs) Cordelia Osasona

photo: Oladele Ajose - Prince, Professor, Patriot by Olutayo Charles Adesina