Married to Hannah Ikime
Born in 1936, Prof Obaro Ikime, a historian, attended Government College, Ughelli, then known as Warri College (1950-1956), and the University of Ibadan, graduating BA (1961) and PhD (1965). He was a Lecturer in History at Ibadan from 1964, becoming Professor in 1973. In 1975, he was Visiting Professor first at UCLA, then at Berkeley, and later at Harvard. In 1981-82 he was Visiting Professor at the University of BeninHe has contributed chapters to twelve books and is the Editor, Groundwork of Nigerian History, first published by the Historical Society of Nigeria in 1980, and co-Editor with Michael Crowder of West African Chiefs Their Changing Status Under Colonial Rule and Independence. While at Ibadan, Ikime served as Director, Institute of African Studies; two times as Head of the Department of History; and as Dean, Faculty of Arts. He was President, History Society of Nigeria, March 1984 – April 1988. While at Ibadan, Ikime was at different times Visiting Professor of African History, University of California, Los Angeles, and at Beckley; Harvard University Summer School and the University of Benin. He was National Secretary, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, November 1975 – November 1983. After retirement, he served as Professor of History (on contract), Bayelsa State University, Wilberforce Island, for three years. Ikime joined the ordained ministry of the Diocese of Ibadan, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Commission, in December 1995, and served until 2007. Made a Deacon in December 1995, he was priested in 1996, preferred Canon, 2002 and preferred Archdeacon in December 2006. He lives in Ibadan.