Alvan Ikoku

Alvan Azinna Ikoku was born on August 1, 1900, in Arochukwu, Abia State. Educated at Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of London through external study in 1928 while teaching at Awka Training College.

In 1932, Ikoku founded Aggrey Memorial College in Arochukwu, named in honour of Ghanaian educator James Kwegyir Aggrey; it became one of West Africa's most prestigious self-help secondary schools. For over two decades, Ikoku served as National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), relentlessly campaigning for uniform teacher welfare, free primary education, and indigenous curriculum reform. He served in the Eastern Regional House of Assembly and the Legislative Council of Nigeria.