About Us

History

The Department of History is one of the foundation Departments in the University of Ilorin. This may not be unconnected with the fact that the pioneer Principal of the University College, late Professor T. N. Tamuno was the sitting Head of the Department of History at the University of Ibadan at the time of his appointment.
Although the University official opened in August 1975 as a University College affiliated to Nigeria’s Premier University, the University of Ibadan, along with six other higher institutions (Bayero University Kano, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, University of Calabar, University of Jos, University of Port Harcourt and University of Maiduguri1), by a Decree of the Federal Military Government, academic activities only commenced in earnest October 1976 with three Faculties namely: Arts, Science and Education. Two hundred (200) pioneering students were admitted into residence after an entrance examination2 with thirty (30) foundation students admitted into the Department of History in 1976. Besides the pioneer Principal of the University College, Professor Tekena Tamuno, a seasoned historian and an indefatigable foremost figure of the Ibadan School of History, other key players in the Unilorin School of History included foundation lecturers of the Department such as Dr Saka Balogun, Professor R. J. Garvin, Dr. A.S. Adebola, H.O. Danmole, Z. O. Apata, J. T. Dosunmu, Mr Iwerebo and Mr Walker. They were later joined by Dr. White, Dr Darick, Professor Ade Obayemi, Professor R. O Lasisi, etc. till the present scholars holding fort the banners.