Professor Oghenetega Ighedo, an indigene of Delta State, has made history by becoming the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of South Africa (UNISA), in what has been described as a landmark achievement in the institution’s 148-year history.
The Delta State Government announced the feat in a post on its official X account, celebrating Ighedo as a shining example of academic excellence, determination and resilience.
Ighedo, who is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at UNISA, began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Mathematics from Delta State University. She later obtained a Master’s degree in Pure Mathematics from the University of Ibadan before proceeding to UNISA for her doctoral studies.
Remarkably, she completed her PhD in Pure Mathematics in just three years, achieving the milestone while balancing the demands of academic research, motherhood and family life.
According to the Delta State Government, Ighedo was raising two children and expecting her third child during the period she pursued her doctorate.
Her mother, a retired mathematics teacher, also served as an inspiration throughout her academic journey.
The achievement has attracted attention not only because of its significance to Ighedo’s personal academic career but also because of its broader representation of Black women in mathematics and the sciences.
Her accomplishment is being celebrated as a powerful reminder that women, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, can excel in highly specialised scientific fields despite the challenges they may face.
The Delta State Government described Ighedo as an inspiration to young Deltans and Nigerians interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), urging young people to pursue their ambitions with courage, discipline and perseverance.
“From Delta to the world, excellence knows no bounds,” the state government said.
Professor Ighedo’s historic achievement has therefore added another remarkable chapter to the growing list of Deltans making significant contributions to academia and the global scientific community.
