PIONEERS OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Last Updated: April 28tth, 2022 

The following individuals all contributed significantly to health education in the country through research, teaching and training of health educators and professionals across Nigeria. Some of the pioneers of health education in Nigeria includes;
1. Z.A. Ademuwagun
2. J.A. Ajala
3. C.O. Udoh
4. O. G. Oshodin
5. A.F.A Folawiyo
6. I. Owie
7. O.C. Nwana
8. G.B.I. Onuha
9. J.O. Adeniyi
10. J. Fawole

Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) presenting a souvenir to Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin (left) during a courtesy call on the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, in 2013.

1. Z.A. Ademuwagun: Born in 1934 Ademuwagun, Zacchaeus Akingbade (B.A., Ed.D., M.P.H.) is regarded as a pioneer in health education in Nigeria. He has written numerous books and published relevant articles relating to health education around the world. Some of his works includes; African Therapeutic System (1979), National and training policies in health education in Africa (1979), AIDS education handbook for primary health care : a self-instructional manual (1992) among others. He was a health education specialist at the college of education, University of Lagos. His works has been quoted by many national and international authors.

2. J.A. Ajala: Ajala, James Abodunrin (B.Sc. Ed.. M.Ed.. Ed.D.,) is a professor of health education at the Department of human Kinetics and Health Education at the University of Ibadan. He has also published lot of relevant materials to health education in Nigeria including Health Education Curriculum For Four Year Bachelors Degree Programme in Nigeria (1985). He was a scholar in the field of health education and a trully gifted health education specialist and University Lecturer.

3. C.O. Udoh: Udoh, Christopher Ofuonye (Dip. P.E., B.S., M.A., Ph.D.,) is a professor in health education with lot of significant publications in the field. In 1979 he got his Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D) from Ohio State University, Graduate School. Some of his works includes; Death and Dying Education (2000), Mental and Social Health (1987), The environmental health problems in Nigerian schools (1980), among others. From 1963 to 1964 he was the Sports Organizer, Western Region Sports Council, Ibadan, Nigeria. He started lecturing at the department of physical and health education at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1974.

4. O. G. Oshodin: Oshodin, Osayuki Godwin (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ed.D.,) is a professor of health education and was also the former Vice chancellor at the University of Benin, Nigeria. He has also published many relevant academic articles regarding health and education in Nigeria. He has taught over a dozen of courses in the area of health education in Nigeria and the United states of America. He became a professor in health education in 1991 at the University of Benin, department of physical and health education. His honours and awards includes, "Who is who in the World" 10th edition (1991–1992) published by MARQUIS MACMILLAN directory division, Leadership Award- Millinium edition of the international, directory of distinguished leadership. 2000 and the Justice of Peace (JP) Appointment by Edo state Government 12 September 2001.

5. A.F.A Folawiyo: Folawiyo, Abdul Fattah Adio (D.A.F.A.; D.D.L. Dip. Phys. Ed. (ABU) Zaria, B.Sc. M.Sc. (Indiana State University) P C. E. (South Carolina) Ed. D. (University of Tenneessee, Knoxville) U.S.A) was a professor of health education and safety education at the University of Lagos. He represented Nigeria in Athletics (Sprints and Relay) during Dakar Games in 1966. His publications incudes; Safety and disaster education (1988), Primary health care system through school health education (1988), among others.

6. I. Owie: Professor Ikponwonsa Owie was the Chairman Board of Trustees, National Association of Health Educators of Nigeria. He area of specialization is in Health Education and Educational Statistics. He lectured at the Faculty of Education, University of Benin. Some of his publications include; Socioeconomic Differentiation in Health Knowledge of Primary Schoolchildren (1982), Smoking Behavior of Prospective Teachers: A Nigerian Case (1984), Religious identity and attitudes toward contraceptives among university students in Nigeria (1983), among others.

7. O. C. Nwana: Professor Mrs O. C. Nwana was a professor at the health and physical education department at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. She was also a pioneer in the establishment of  the department of nursing science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Madonna University in 2001. She has published lots of education materials in the area of health education and also supervised lots of B.Sc, M.Sc and PhD students in the field of health education in Nigeria. In 1977 O. C. Nwana was selected as a commonwealth scholar and fellow.

Also Read: History of Health Education in Nigeria       History of Physical Education in Nigeria
Pioneers of Physical Education in Nigeria

How to Reference this article

Ademola, V. D (2018). Pioneers of health education in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.youdread.com/2018/08/pioneers-of-health-education-in-nigeria.html