PROF OGHENETEGA IGHEDO FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO OBTAIN A PH.D. IN PURE MATHEMATICS runs
Prof Oghenetega Ighedo is a Nigerian-born professor of pure mathematics who happens to be the first black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in pure mathematics from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in its 149-year long of existence.
Prof Oghenetega Ighedo before bagging her Ph.D. was an assistant lecturer and graduate assistant at Delta State University between August 2005 to March 2011.
From 2011 to 2019 she worked as a lecturer in (UNISA) South Africa
ACHIEVEMENTS
She also holds a master of science (MSc) in pure mathematics from the University of Ibadan and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in industrial mathematics from Delta State University, Nigeria.
Prof Oghenetega Ighedo is currently an Associate professor in the department of mathematical sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA)
PROF OGHENETEGA IGHEDO FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO OBTAIN A PH.D. IN PURE MATHEMATICS
INSPIRATION
In the early years of Prof Oghenetega Ighedo, she admired her mother who was a mathematics teacher, her mother was driven to love mathematics and believed that someday she will do just well as her mom or even more.
Prof Oghenetega Ighedo said ” I was inspired by my mother a retired maths teacher. I saw the way she was going about teaching it and when I grew older I thought the way she did maths was interesting and I wanted to see if I could do it like her.
My decision to study pure maths was also motivated by the fact that not only are there few black pure mathematicians but there are fewer black women who are pure mathematicians.
I encourage young women not to let adversity and challenges alter their dreams. When I started my Ph.D. I was already married, I had two children, and was expecting my 3rd child. Despite being a mother and a wife, I was able to complete my Ph.D. within three years”
That right there has been a huge achievement and fulfillment for Prof Oghenetega Ighedo, her family, Nigeria, and also to Africa.
Cheers to more of such achievements!
