Nigeria’s first female minister, Chief Adenike Ebun Oyagbola, has passed away at the age of 94. She died on Friday, February 28.
Oyagbola hailed from the Akinola family of Igan-Alade in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Born on May 5, 1931, she started her career as a teacher before traveling abroad to further her education in accounting. Upon her return, she joined the Federal Civil Service in 1963.
In 1979, she made history as Nigeria’s first female cabinet minister when President Shehu Shagari appointed her as the Minister of National Planning. She held the position until 1983.
After her ministerial role, she served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, with additional accreditation to Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Beyond politics, Oyagbola was the President of the Nigerian chapter of Attitudinal Healing International, a global organization dedicated to mental and emotional well-being.
Her contributions to Nigeria’s governance and diplomacy remain remarkable, and she will be remembered as a trailblazer for women in leadership.
