ChiefElizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi, MBE, OFR (née Akerele, 1910–14 September 1971) was the first woman to practise as a physician in Nigeria.[1] She was also the first West African woman to earn a license of Royal Surgeon in Dublin.[1][2] In 1938, Elizabeth Awoliyi became the second West African woman to qualify as an orthodox-medicine trained physician after Agnes Yewande Savage who graduated from medical school in 1929.[3] She was the second president of the National Council of Women's Societies of Nigeria from 1964 until her death in 1971.[4]
Awoliyi returned to Nigeria and became a gynecologist and junior medical officer at the Massey Street Hospital Lagos. She later became a chief consultant and medical director at that hospital, holding the latter position from 1960 through 1969.[2] In 1962, she was appointed as a senior specialist gynecologist and obstetrician by the Federal Ministry of Health.[2]
The novel Return to Life, by her son Tunji Awoliyi, is dedicated to her.[9]
Awoliyi is included as a "Nigerian Heroine of the 20th Century" in the book Nigerian Heroes and Heroines: and other issues in citizenship education, by Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh.[10]
Awoliyi owned a 27-acre poultry and orange farm in Agege, Lagos, and became director of the commercial medical store in Lagos.[2]
NCWS
Awoliyi was the pioneer president of the Lagos branch of the National Council of Women's Societies (NCWS) and a member of the national committee of the organization[12] and she contributed to their policies and activities. She negotiated for the gift of a national headquarters located at Tafawa Balewa Square and was a consultant to the organization's family planning clinic which later became the planned parenthood federation of Nigeria.[12] She succeeded Kofo Ademola as the second president of the NCWS in 1964.
Business and Professional Women's Association (president)
Child Care Voluntary Association (President)
Lagos Colony Red Cross
National Council of Women's Societies (Also became the first President of the Lagos branch)
Personal life
Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi was married to physician Dr. S. O. Awoliyi and had two children; a son and a daughter.[2] Her husband died in 1965. Dr Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi died on 14 September 1971 at the age of 61.[2]
^Lagos Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Organisation (2000). Mobilising for Action. Dedun Educational Books, Indiana University. p. 47. ISBN9789788013037.
Ojewusi, Sola (1996). Speaking for Nigerian women: (a history of the National Council of Women's Societies, Nigeria). Abuja: All State Pub. and Print. Co.