The NAE is the apex elite professional organisation in education consisting of all professors of education and top ranking educators in Nigeria. It was founded in 1985 by a group of 50 Professors of Education led by late Professor Babatunde Fafunwa, late Professor Ukeje and Professor Peter Lassa. The Academy celebrated its 40th anniversary at its Congress which held in Abuja from 5-7 November, 2025. The Academy has about 600 eminent Professors in all academic areas of education, retired Directors of Education of the Federal Ministry of Education and honorary Fellows.
Emeritus Professor Jegede who was inducted into the Academy in 2002 became a Fellow in 2022. In his acceptance speech, the new President who took over from Professor Kabiru Isyaku, assured the Academy of professional and academic quality and strategic leadership, grassroot-based contribution to the growth and development of education, professional development of members, evidence-based advice to the government of Nigeria through a harmonious working relationship with the Federal Ministry of 
Education, and to lead the membership of the Academy through the expectations of the emerging technology and artificial intelligence- dominated 21st century. 
Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, who took over the leadership of the Academy after a colourful decoration ceremony on Friday 7th November, will preside over its affairs for a non-renewable term of three (3) years. 
Congratulatory messages have been pouring into the new President’s desk from several local, national and international quarters including academia, professional, industrial, diplomatic, government and higher education institutions.