Bro. A. Babatunde Fafunwa | Beta Upsilon Chapter
Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa was born on September 23, 1923, in Isale Eko, Lagos. He earned a B.S. in Social Science and English from Bethune-Cookman College, an M.A. in Administration and Higher Education, and in 1958 became the first Nigerian to earn a Ph.D. in Education from New York University. He co-founded the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria and became Nigeria’s first Professor of Education.
Fafunwa was a pioneering educationist, scholar, and former Minister of Education, known for reforming Nigeria’s colonial educational system by incorporating local languages, cultural goals, and relevant subjects. He taught at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Obafemi Awolowo University, serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor at both institutions and later as Pro-Chancellor at the University of Calabar.
He played a key role in establishing the Nigerian Certificate in Education, introduced the country’s first bachelor’s degree in education, and championed the integration of native languages into the curriculum, emphasizing education rooted in local culture to strengthen communities. Fafunwa also mentored generations of educators and contributed to African educational scholarship internationally.
Babs Fafunwa transitioned to the Omega Chapter on October 11, 2010, in Abuja and was laid to rest in Lagos, leaving a lasting legacy in Nigerian education.
Awards:Nigerian National Merit Award Winner, Fellow, Science Teachers Association of Nigeria and Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Education.
