Temesgen Lemma

Ethiopian educator who pioneered modern agricultural education and women's enrollment in universities

Temesgen Lemma (1898-1983) was an Ethiopian academic whose work transformed higher education and agricultural practices. As president of Haile Selassie I University (now Addis Ababa University), he established Africa's first university-level agricultural college in 1952. His innovative curriculum integrated modern science with traditional farming knowledge, creating a model still used in African agricultural education today.

Lemma's greatest legacy was his insistence on gender equality. In 1955, he became the first African university leader to admit female students, defying cultural norms that restricted women's education. His memoir "The Ethiopian Renaissance" details his battles with conservative factions to maintain this policy. Under his leadership, women comprised 25% of university enrollment by 1960 - a remarkable achievement in mid-20th century Africa.

Beyond academia, Lemma advised Ethiopia's government on land reform and food security. His 1960s agricultural extension programs prevented famine in drought-prone regions, using techniques like terracing and crop rotation. The "Temesgen Lemma Agricultural College" in Addis Ababa continues his work, training students from across the Horn of Africa. His 1970 book "Ethiopian Agriculture: Problems and Prospects" remains a foundational text in African agronomy.

Despite his contributions, Lemma's name is less known internationally than contemporaries like Julius Nyerere. Modern institutions like the Addis Ababa University preserve his legacy through annual lectures and scholarships. His advocacy for women's education directly influenced Ethiopia's current female enrollment rates, which remain among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.