The Faculty of Science was one of the three Foundation Faculties at the inception of the University of Ibadan as the then University College of Ibadan in 1948. The Faculty commenced its memorable existence from laboratories which were converted from 'wards of the 56th Army General Hospital, Eleyele, Ibadan, and moved to its present site in 1953.

The founding fathers of the Faculty made it a deliberate policy to attain and maintain a very high academic standard. Consequently, by the 1960s the Faculty was already a centre of excellence for teaching and research. It was pre-eminent in Africa and was recognised worldwide as a centre of excellence. The Faculty expanded steadily from its initial six Departments (Botany, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology) to ten Departments (Archaeology and Anthropology, Botany and Microbiology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology). Currently, the Faculty consists of eleven Departments: Archaeology and Anthropology, Botany, Microbiology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology.

The Faculty offers courses for students in all the science-based faculties such as Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine as well as Faculty of Clinical Sciences. The Faculty thus offers courses to the largest number of students in the University.

Three important units in the University are closely linked to the Faculty of Science. These are the Botanical Garden, University Computing Centre and The Zoological Garden

Many alumni and alumnae of this Faculty after their excellent training here have gone on to distinguish themselves and hold leadership positions in academia, government and industry. You now have the unique opportunity to emulate these successful ladies and gentlemen. Finally, we wish to emphasise that for you to make a success of this opportunity, you must consistently work hard at your studies.