Mazi Alvan Ikoku, whose portrait graces the Nigerian 10 naira note, is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated educationists. Despite this honour, few Nigerians truly understand his contributions to education, nationalism, and community development. This paper delves into Ikoku’s life, exploring the events and achievements that merited his enduring legacy on Nigerian currency and in history.
Who Was Alvan Ikoku?
Early Life and Background
Alvan Azinna Ikoku was born on August 1, 1900, in Amanagwu, Arochukwu, located in present-day Abia State, Nigeria. Coming from a wealthy merchant family, he was given the name “Azinna,” a tribute to his late father, whom he was born three months after.
Cultural Heritage and Education
Although of Igbo origin, Ikoku had deep connections with the Efik community through his mother, who was from Calabar, present-day Cross River State. He attended Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar, where he spent much of his youth under the care of his mother’s relatives.
Personal Life
Ikoku met his wife, Goomsu, an accomplished organist of Efik descent, while working as a student-teacher in Itigidi, Cross River State. Together, they had six children. Interestingly, one of his sons, Samuel Goomsu Ikoku, became his political rival, defeating him in the Eastern Regional Assembly elections in 1957.
Ikoku’s Contributions to Nigerian Education
In 1932, Ikoku founded Aggrey Memorial College, the first indigenous private secondary school in Nigeria, located in Arochukwu, Abia State. Named after the Ghanaian teacher and missionary James E.K. Aggrey, the college began as a teacher training school before transitioning into a secondary school by 1935.
Pioneering Vocational Education
As principal of Aggrey Memorial College for nearly four decades, Ikoku introduced vocational subjects, including carpentry, which he referred to as “the Education of the Hand.” This hands-on approach enabled students to make their own furniture, such as desks and chairs, as part of their practical education.
Advocacy for Teachers and Curriculum Reform
In his role as National President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in 1955, Ikoku championed teachers’ rights and advocated for a more inclusive educational curriculum that incorporated indigenous languages. His criticisms of the system highlighted the need for cultural relevance in Nigerian education.
Political Engagement and Community Development
As a member of the Eastern House of Assembly, Ikoku worked to improve infrastructure and services in Arochukwu, helping establish a hospital, a post office, and roads that connected Arochukwu with Umuahia and Itu. He also advocated for pipe-borne water for his community. In 1962, he was appointed chairman of a government committee to reform education in Eastern Nigeria.
Honors and Accusations of British Loyalty
Alvan Ikoku’s dedication to education and public service earned him the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE), though some contemporaries criticized him for being pro-British.
Death and Legacy
Alvan Ikoku, a devout Protestant, passed away on November 18, 1971, in Aba, Abia State, at the age of 71. His legacy is honored through various institutions and landmarks named after him, including the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education in Owerri, Imo State, which became the first Nigerian institution to establish a full-fledged Igbo Language Department in 1975. Additionally, his portrait has been featured on Nigeria’s 10 naira note since 1979.
Conclusion
Alvan Ikoku’s life was marked by an unwavering commitment to education, community development, and national service. His accomplishments laid a foundation for Nigerian education that endures today, making him a deserving figure on Nigeria’s currency and a symbol of educational reform and patriotism.
References
Ikoku, A. A. (1971). Life and Works of Alvan Ikoku: A Pioneer Nigerian Educationist. Lagos, Nigeria: National Press.
National Museum of Nigerian History. (2019). Alvan Ikoku: His Life and Contributions to Nigerian Education. Abuja, Nigeria: Nigerian Historical Society.
Obi, J. (2021). “Remembering Alvan Ikoku: The Man on Nigeria’s Ten Naira Note.” Journal of African Heritage Studies, 15(2), 58–73.
Umeh, O. (2020). “Alvan Ikoku and the Foundation of Indigenous Nigerian Education.” Nigerian Educational Review, 12(1), 40–55.
Williams, A. (2018). Nigeria’s Founding Fathers and their Legacy. Ibadan, Nigeria: Heritage Books.
