Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi

Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (née Akerele, 1910–1971) was the first female physician in Nigeria. She was the second president of the National Council of Women's Societies of Nigeria from 1964 until her death in 1971.

Life

She was born in Lagos to the family of David and Rufina Akerele. She commenced her education at St. Mary's Catholic School, Lagos from where she proceeded to Queen's College. She earned her medical degree in 1938 from the University of Dublin, Cafreys College. She returned to Nigeria and became a gynaecologist 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. Also, the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria appointed her as a senior specialist gynecologist and obstetrician in 1962.

Some of her awards include: Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), Iya Abiye of Lagos, Iyalaje of Oyo Empire, and Nigerian National Honor – Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

The novel Return to Life, by her daughter Tunji Awoliyi, is dedicated to her.

She is mentioned in "Chapter Six: Nigerian Heroines of the 20th Century" in the book Nigerian heroes and heroines: and other issues in citizenship education, by Godwin Chukwuemeka Ezeh.

Dr. Abimbola Awoliyi Memorial Hospital is located in Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

NCWS

Awoliyi was the pioneer president of the Lagos branch of the National Council of Women Societies and a member of the national committee of the organization. As a member, she contributed to various policies and activities of the women's organization. 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. she succeeded Kofo Ademola as the second president of the NCWS in 1964.