Ebun Oyagbola became Nigeria's first female cabinet minister in 1979. She was appointed by President Shehu Shagari as the Minister of National Planning – a position she held for nearly four years. Born Adenike Ebunoluwa Akinola on May 5, 1931, Oyagbola hails from Igan Alade, a town in present-day Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, South-Western Nigeria. She spent her early years there, completing her primary education before training as a teacher at a training college in Ilaro. Following her qualification, she taught in schools across Yewa and later in Mushin, where she eventually became headmistress of an elementary school. In 1960, Oyagbola travelled abroad to further her education in accountancy. After completing her studies in England, she returned to Nigeria and joined the Federal Civil Service in 1963. Her career reached a historic milestone in December 1979 when she was appointed Minister of National Planning under the administration of President Shehu Shagari, making her Nigeria’s first female cabinet minister. She served in this capacity until October 1983. Following her tenure in government, Oyagbola went on to represent Nigeria on the international stage, serving as the country’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States of Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Now 93 years old, Oyagbola remains a trailblazer in Nigerian history, recognised for her pioneering contributions to public service and diplomacy. #historyville