Oghenetega Ighedo Becomes UNISA's First Black Woman PhD Holder

Professor Oghenetega Ighedo has made history as the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of South Africa (UNISA), becoming the first to achieve the distinction in the institution's 148-year history.

The Nigerian academic, who serves as an Associate Professor in UNISA's Department of Mathematical Sciences, completed her doctoral degree in just three years while balancing her academic career with the responsibilities of raising a young family.

Oghenetega's academic journey began at Delta State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Mathematics. She later earned a Master of Science in Pure Mathematics from University of Ibadan before pursuing her doctoral studies at UNISA.

Key Highlights:

• Oghenetega becomes the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics from UNISA
• She completes her PhD in three years while balancing motherhood
• Her achievement marks a milestone for Black women in STEM

She credited her passion for mathematics to her mother, a retired mathematics teacher, whose influence inspired her from an early age.

“I was inspired by my mother. I saw the way she taught mathematics, and as I grew older, I found it interesting and wanted to do it like her,” she said.

Oghenetega also said the lack of diversity within the discipline motivated her to pursue advanced studies.

“My decision to study pure mathematics was motivated by the fact that not only is there few Black pure mathematicians, but there are even fewer Black women in the field,” she added.

Her success is even more incredible when you factor in the challenges she faced along the way. Oghenetega revealed that she went on to pursue a PhD during her marriage and with two children and one on the way. Under such conditions, she was able to finish the program within three years.

Since then, she has inspired young women to never give up and to keep pursuing their aspirations, emphasizing that they can achieve their goals with determination and resilience.

The achievement is hailed as a significant step toward the greater representation of black women in mathematics and other STEM fields. It also highlights the increasing involvement of African scholars in research and higher education on the international stage.

Professor Oghenetega's achievement marks an important milestone for diversity and inclusion in mathematics, a field where Black women continue to be significantly underrepresented. Her success reflects the growing contributions of African women to higher education and research while encouraging greater participation in STEM disciplines.

As UNISA's first Black woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics, Oghenetega has set a historic precedent for future generations of scholars. Her accomplishment underscores the importance of representation in academia and serves as an inspiration for young women aspiring to pursue advanced studies in mathematics and other scientific fields.