Professor Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo: Nigeria’s Trailblazing Historian and Voice of Igbo Heritage

Professor Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo was one of Nigeria’s most influential historians, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to African historiography. His work reshaped the understanding of Nigeria’s past, particularly the history of the Igbo people and the Southeastern region, by placing African societies at the center of their own historical narratives.

Early Life and Background

Adiele Afigbo was born in 1937 in Ihube, Okigwe, present-day Imo State, Nigeria, into a family deeply rooted in education and traditional values. Growing up in colonial Nigeria, he was inspired by the rich oral traditions of his community and developed a keen interest in understanding Africa’s past from the African perspective. His upbringing in the culturally vibrant Igbo society profoundly influenced his later scholarly focus on pre-colonial and colonial African history.

Education and Academic Achievements

Afigbo began his education at St. Augustine’s School, Ihube, before proceeding to St. Patrick’s College, Calabar, one of Nigeria’s leading secondary schools at the time. His intellectual brilliance earned him admission to the University of Ibadan, where he studied History under some of the foremost African and European scholars.

In 1964, he obtained his Ph.D. in History from the University of Ibadan, becoming one of the earliest Nigerians—and widely recognized as the first indigenous Ph.D. holder in history—to achieve that academic milestone. His doctoral research, which examined the colonial administration and policies in Southeastern Nigeria, was widely praised for its depth, originality, and challenge to Eurocentric historical frameworks.

Academic Career

Afigbo began his teaching career at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of History and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts. His leadership at UNN and later at other institutions helped train a new generation of historians who continued his legacy of decolonizing African history.

Throughout his career, Afigbo produced pioneering works that explored the complexities of pre-colonial African societies, colonial encounters, and the role of indigenous institutions in governance and trade. His scholarship aimed to correct distortions left by colonial historians who often portrayed African societies as static or inferior.

Major Works and Contributions

Afigbo’s works remain central to the study of Nigerian and African history. His notable publications include:

The Warrant Chiefs: Indirect Rule in Southeastern Nigeria, 1891–1929 (1972)

Ropes of Sand: Studies in Igbo History and Culture (1981)

Igbo and Their Neighbours: Inter-Group Relations in Southeastern Nigeria to 1953 (1987)

Groundwork of Nigerian History (co-edited, 1980), a foundational text for understanding Nigerian historical development

Through these works, Afigbo emphasized African agency, demonstrating how indigenous societies adapted, resisted, and reshaped colonial systems to their advantage.

Service and Recognition

Beyond academia, Professor Afigbo served in several national and international capacities. He contributed to the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and was a member of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), where he played a major role in developing the national history curriculum.

He was also involved in the UNESCO General History of Africa Project, a continental initiative aimed at reconstructing African history from African perspectives. His efforts earned him numerous honors, including the Fellowship of the Historical Society of Nigeria (FHSN) and recognition from international academic institutions.

Personal Life and Death

Professor Adiele Afigbo was married to Mrs. Theresa Afigbo, and together they had children. His family remained his pillar of support throughout his decades-long career dedicated to education, scholarship, and national service.

He passed away on March 9, 2009, at the age of 72, leaving behind an enduring intellectual legacy that continues to inspire African scholars.

Legacy

Afigbo’s legacy lies in his insistence that African history should be told by Africans and for Africans. His works remain a cornerstone in understanding Nigeria’s diverse cultures, particularly the Igbo people, and in challenging Western historical narratives that overlooked African perspectives.

Sources

University of Nigeria, Nsukka – Department of History and International Studies

[Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) Archives]