By Lukman Afolabi, Biohistocultural Resource Hub

1. The First Primary School in Kwara State: St. Mark’s CMS Primary School, Offa, was established in 1912, making it the pioneer primary school in Kwara State.

2. First Town Development Union/Association in Old Northern Region: The Offa Descendants Union, founded in October 1935, was the first of its kind in the Old Northern Region, playing a pivotal role in the community’s development.

3. First Community Secondary School in Old Northern Nigeria: Offa Grammar School, established in February 1943, was the first community-based secondary school in the entire Northern Nigeria.

4. First School to Attain Full-Fledged Secondary Status in Kwara State: Offa Grammar School evolved into a full secondary school in 1953, setting the standard for academic institutions in Kwara State.

5. First University Graduate from Kwara State: The late Mr. Augustus Bandele Oyediran (1907–1966) graduated in 1933 and became the first African Principal of Methodist Boys High School, Lagos. His son, Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran, later served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

6. First Kwara-Born Medical Doctor: Dr. J.D. Soleye, who graduated in 1948, was the second medical doctor from Old Northern Nigeria and the first from Kwara State.

7. First Private Nursery and Primary School in Kwara State: Adeola Model School, established in 1960 and modelled after Yaba Model School, holds the distinction of being the first private nursery and primary school in the state.

8. First Female Commissioner in Kwara State: Chief Mrs. Felicia Adeola Adesiyun broke barriers in 1975 when she became the first woman to serve as a commissioner in Kwara State.

9. First African PhD Holder and Professor of Geology: Professor M.O. Oyawoye earned his PhD in 1959 and became Africa’s first Professor of Geology in 1966, marking another major achievement for Offa.

10. First Certified Accountants from Kwara State: Offa produced the first two certified accountants from Kwara State, Samuel Onawola and Yunus Abioye Oyeleke, both qualifying six months apart in 1965. Samuel Onawola was the first Certified Accountant, while Yunus Abioye Oyeleke became the first Chartered Accountant of England and Wales from Kwara State. Onawola returned to serve in the Northern Nigeria Civil Service as the first Chief Tax Officer, while Oyeleke remained in the UK to achieve chartered status.

11. First Community to Build a Digital Innovation Hub ( ONE Innovation Hub Offa ) for Software and Hardware programming and Development of knowledge needed for the 4th industrial revolution in the entire Northern region.