Nigerian Professor Breaks 148-Year-Old Record At University of South Africa

A Nigerian Mathematician, Professor Oghenetega Ighedo, has broken a 148 year-old record to become the first black woman graduate with a PhD in Pure Mathematics at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

It is the first time such achievement would be attained in South Africa’s foremost university since it was established 148 years ago.

Before her academic pursuit in South Africa, Ighedo, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA), she was already an accomplished researcher in Nigeria where she bagged MSc in Pure Mathematics from the University of Ibadan and a BSc in Industrial Mathematics from Delta State University.

The renowned scholar attributes her success to her mother who was also once a Mathematics teacher. Ighedo said she was inspired by her mother who has since retired.

She also noted that the dearth of black and women pure mathematicians influenced her decision to study the course.

She further encouraged young women not to be deterred by challenges on their path to academic excellence.