Lady Kofoworola Ademola was a pioneering educator and an unwavering advocate for women’s rights in Africa.
Born on May 21, 1913, into the Egba family of Lagos lawyer Olawolu Moore, she etched her name in history as the first Black African woman to graduate from the University of Oxford.
Between 1932 and 1935, she studied English Literature and Education at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Her time there was both groundbreaking and challenging, as she was often viewed more as an anomaly than a fellow student.
Reflecting on her experience, she once remarked, “I was regarded as a ‘curio’ or some weird specimen… not as an ordinary human being.” Many were surprised by her fluency in English and her familiarity with European customs, exposing the deep-seated racial biases of the era.
Determined to challenge these perceptions, Ademola documented her experiences in a biography that confronted colonial narratives about Africans.
Her account was featured in historian Margery Perham’s 1936 book, Ten Africans, which influenced discussions on race and education in Britain. She also advocated for increased opportunities for African women at Oxford, suggesting that at least two should be admitted annually.
Upon completing her degree, she returned to Nigeria and dedicated her career to education.
She started as a teacher in a prestigious girls’ school in Lagos before co-founding Girls’ Secondary Modern School and New Era Girls’ Secondary School, where she also served as head teacher. Beyond teaching, she played a key role in shaping policies that promoted women’s education and empowerment.
Her leadership extended beyond the classroom. In 1958, she became the first president of Nigeria’s National Council of Women’s Societies, where she championed gender equality and advocated for better educational opportunities for young girls.
She also made history as the first Nigerian woman appointed Secretary of the Western Region Scholarship Board, ensuring that more students, especially women, had access to higher education.
Ademola’s contributions weren’t limited to education. She served as director of the Western Region’s Red Cross and was recognized with several prestigious honors.
In 1959, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She also received the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) from Nigerian Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, cementing her status as a national figure in education and social development.
In addition to her advocacy work, she was a gifted writer, penning several children’s books rooted in West African folklore, including Tortoise and the Clever Ant and Tutu and the Magic Gourds. Through these works, she preserved African storytelling traditions while imparting valuable lessons to young readers.
In 1939, she married Adetokunbo Ademola, a civil servant who later became Chief Justice of Nigeria. Though entitled to the title Oloori as the wife of a Yoruba prince, she was widely known as Lady Kofoworola Ademola.
Until her passing in 2002 at the age of 89, Ademola remained steadfast in her commitment to education, advocacy, and the advancement of women’s rights. As the world celebrates women’s achievements this March, her legacy continues to inspire generations striving for excellence in fields where they were once underrepresented.
