Professor Oghenetega Ighedo Breaks Barrier as UNISA’s First Black Female Pure Mathematics PhD Graduate

Nigerian-born Professor Oghenetega Ighedo has achieved a historic first by becoming the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) first Black woman to earn a doctorate in Pure Mathematics, marking a landmark moment in the university’s 148-year history.

Currently an Associate Professor in UNISA’s Department of Mathematical Sciences, Ighedo completed her PhD in only three years while successfully balancing her academic career with the responsibilities of raising a family.

Her educational journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Mathematics from Delta State University, followed by a Master of Science in Pure Mathematics from the University of Ibadan before she embarked on her doctoral studies at UNISA.

Ighedo said her love for mathematics was inspired by her mother, a retired mathematics teacher.

“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, as quoted by Women Power Africa.

She noted that the limited representation of Black mathematicians, particularly Black women, motivated her to pursue the discipline at the highest level.

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

Despite managing family responsibilities—including raising two children and expecting a third during her studies—Ighedo completed the demanding programme within the standard three-year timeframe.

She has since urged young women to remain determined in pursuing their dreams, saying perseverance is key to overcoming challenges.

Her accomplishment is being celebrated as a major step forward for diversity in mathematics and STEM, while showcasing the increasing contributions of African academics to global scholarship.

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