Adiele Eberechukwu AFIGBO

Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo (22 November 1937 – 9 March 2009) was a preeminent Nigerian historian whose scholarship shaped the study of Igbo history, Southeastern Nigeria, and African historiography. Known for his meticulous reconstruction of precolonial and colonial African histories, Afigbo’s work emphasized themes like inter-group relations, the Aro and the slave trade, and the interplay of history and nation-building. His career, marked by groundbreaking research, influential publications, and prestigious appointments, placed him among the most respected African historians of the 20th century.

Early Life and Education

Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo was born on 22 November 1937 in Ihube, Okigwe, in present-day Imo State, Nigeria. His parents, Pa David Ogbonnaya Afigbo and Madam Nnenna Afigbo, were devout Christians and subsistence farmers. Despite their modest means, they instilled in young Adiele a strong sense of discipline and ambition.

Afigbo began his education at Methodist Central School, Ihube, in 1944. Under the mentorship of educators like Mr. Oji Iheukumere, a disciplinarian and music enthusiast from Uzuakoli, Abia State, Afigbo’s academic potential flourished. He later attended St. Augustine’s Grammar School, Nkwerre, on a scholarship awarded by the Okigwe Native Administration. At St. Augustine’s, influential teachers such as Mazi F. C. Ogbalu (founder of the Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture), C.G.I. Eneli, and E.C. Ezekwesili guided his intellectual growth and encouraged his interest in history.

In 1956, Afigbo earned admission to University College, Ibadan, then affiliated with the University of London. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History, studying under prominent scholars like J.F. Ade Ajayi, Kenneth Onwuka Dike, and J.D. Omer-Cooper. Afterward, he pursued a doctoral degree, becoming the first individual to obtain a PhD in history from a Nigerian university in 1964.

Academic Career

Adiele Afigbo’s academic journey began at the University of Ibadan as a lecturer. However, the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) disrupted his career. During the conflict, he served in the Directorate of Propaganda in the Ministry of Information for the Republic of Biafra. After the war, Afigbo resumed academia, joining the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming a professor in 1972. A year later, he was appointed Head of the Department of History and Archaeology and subsequently served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

Afigbo’s academic contributions extended beyond teaching. He held pivotal roles such as Director of the Leo Hansbury Institute of African Studies, pioneer Director of Research at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos, and Sole Administrator of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri.

Historiographical Contributions

Afigbo was a pioneer of the Ibadan School of History, which emphasized the significance of African-centered historiography. He championed the reconstructionist approach, utilizing diverse sources—oral traditions, archaeology, linguistics, and written records—to uncover African histories. His seminal works include The Warrant Chiefs: Indirect Rule in Southeastern Nigeria, 1891–1929 (1972), Ropes of Sand: Studies in Igbo History and Culture (1981), and The Abolition of the Slave Trade in Southeastern Nigeria, 1885–1950 (2006).

Afigbo’s scholarship often explored the sociopolitical dynamics of precolonial Igbo society. He provided critical analyses of the slave trade, colonial policies, and the development of state systems in Southeastern Nigeria. His groundbreaking essay collections, edited by Toyin Falola, such as Myth, History, and Society (2006), remain cornerstone texts in African historiography.

Public Service and Political Appointments

In addition to his academic achievements, Afigbo served in various governmental and administrative capacities. He was the Commissioner for Education and Local Government in Imo State during the late 1970s. He also chaired the Michael Okpara College of Agriculture, Umuagwo, and served as an advisor on cultural policy to the federal government.

Awards and Recognitions

Adiele Afigbo received numerous accolades, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and Fellowships with the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Letters. Internationally, he was an Honorary Member of the Historical Association of Great Britain. His traditional titles, such as Ogbuzuo and Ogbute-Okewe-Ibe, honored his contributions to Igbo culture.

Controversies and Challenges

While Afigbo’s career was largely free of scandals, his tenure in Biafran propaganda faced criticism from detractors who viewed wartime communication as biased. However, Afigbo defended his role, asserting that his work aimed to preserve the Igbo identity amid existential threats.

Associations with Prominent Igbo Figures

Afigbo collaborated with and mentored several prominent Igbo historians, including Mazi F.C. Ogbalu and Kenneth Onwuka Dike. He also maintained scholarly exchanges with colleagues like Obaro Ikime and Chinua Achebe, sharing insights on the interconnectedness of literature and history.

Death and Legacy

Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo passed away on 9 March 2009 in Enugu, Nigeria, after a brief illness. His death marked the end of an illustrious career that transformed African historiography. Today, his works continue to inspire scholars and students of African history worldwide.

Selected Works

• The Warrant Chiefs: Indirect Rule in Southeastern Nigeria, 1891–1929 (1972)
• Ropes of Sand: Studies in Igbo History and Culture (1981)
• The Igbo and Their Neighbours: Inter-group Relations in Southeastern Nigeria to 1953 (1987)
• Groundwork of Igbo History (1992)
• The Abolition of the Slave Trade in Southeastern Nigeria, 1885–1950 (2006)

References

Falola, Toyin, and Matthew Heaton. “The Works of A.E. Afigbo on Nigeria: An Historiographical Essay.” History in Africa 33 (2006): 155–178.
Isichei, Elizabeth. A History of the Igbo People. London: Macmillan Press, 1976.
Ottenberg, Simon. Farmers and Townspeople in a Changing Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd, 2005.
Nwaubani, Ebere. “Afigbo’s Views on Nigeria.” In Nigerian History, Politics, and Affairs: The Collected Essays of Adiele Afigbo, edited by Toyin Falola, 51–62. Trenton: Africa World Press, 2005.

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