Ebun Oyagbola is a trailblazer in Nigerian history. She is a remarkable figure who broke gender barriers and set a precedent for women in politics. Appointed as Nigeria’s first female minister, her journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief in the potential of women to lead and influence significant societal change.
Chief (Mrs.) Adenike Regina Ebunoluwa Oyagbola was born on 5th May 1931 in Igan Alade (in what is now Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State). She was born into the family of Chief Akinola (The Aro ofIgan Alade) and Madam Akinola (Iyalode of Saint Peters Anglican Communion, Igan Alade), a family that valued education and hard work. Her early years were marked by a keen interest in learning, which was nurtured by her supportive parents. They understood the importance of education, especially for a girl in a society where female education was often undervalued. This foundation set the stage for Oyagbola’s future accomplishments.
Oyagbola pursued her higher education with vigour. Her education not only equipped her with knowledge but also instilled in her the confidence to challenge societal norms and aspire for leadership positions. She got married in 1955 and her husband was local government treasurer in Oke Odan. They later moved to Mushin where he was the Secretary of Mushin Local Government and she was head teacher of a school. After some years, she moved to United Kingdom with her husband in late 1959 to further their education. She attended the Balham and Tooting College of Commerce and studied accountancy.
Upon their return to Nigeria in 1963, she joined the Accountancy Cadre of the Federal Ministry of Finance. Over the course of her career in the Federal Ministry of Finance, she served as internal auditor in several ministries including in the Ministries of Defence, Trade, Culture, Transport, etc and she voluntarily retired on 1977.
Ebun Oyagbola’s foray into politics was both groundbreaking and inspirational. At a time when Nigerian politics was predominantly male-dominated, her entry signalled a shift in the political landscape. In 1988, a delegate was sent to her from her from her constituency to convince her to contest into the Senate in the 1979 elections. Although she did not succeed, her passion, commitment, and resilience did not go unnoticed. She was appointed by President Shehu Shagari as the Federal Minister of National Planning, thus making her the first and, during President Shagari’s first term in office, only female minister of cabinet rank in Nigeria.
This appointment made her the first female minister in Nigeria, a milestone that resonated across the nation and beyond. Oyagbola’s appointment was not just a personal achievement but a victory for all Nigerian women, symbolising the breaking of gender barriers in the highest echelons of government. She served in this capacity between 1979 and 1983.
After service to the Nation, Chief (Mrs) Ebun Oyagbola was the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Mexican States with concurrent accreditation to Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica. She occupied this position between 1999 and 2003.
After her ambassadorial service, Chief (Mrs.) Ebun Oyagbola has dedicated a significant portion of her time to reflecting on and evaluating the various ethical and moral shortcomings in Nigerian society. She has championed the principles of Attitudinal Healing, believing that a profound and transformative shift in the mindset of the populace, particularly the youth, will lead to significant societal improvement. Oyagbola is convinced that this change can drive moral rejuvenation, foster collective harmony, ensure peaceful coexistence, and stimulate economic revitalisation. She has actively promoted the integration of these broad principles of attitudinal healing into educational institutions and all levels of government. Chief Oyagbola holds numerous chieftaincy titles, with the most notable being the Yeye-Oba of Ketu.
