December 8, 2023

Pathfinder News

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Breaking: First Nigerian Female Vice Chancellor Alele-Williams Dies At 89 years

Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, the first Nigerian female Vice-Chancellor  and first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate in mathematics is dead. The death of the former vice-chancellor of the University of Benin was disclosed by some prominent Itsekiri sons and daughters.

Also confirming her death, a University of Benin lecturer, who does not want her name in print disclosed that the late professor has died.

Born in Warri Delta state on the 16 December 1932, Alele-Williams attended Government School, Warri, Queen’s College, Lagos and the University College of Ibadan  (now University of Ibadan) where she obtained a master’s degree in mathematics in 1957 and a PhD degree in mathematics education at the University of Chicago (U.S.) in 1963. Thereby making her the first Nigerian woman to be awarded a doctorate.

The late professor of mathematics came to the academic limelight when she became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin in 1985 having started her teaching career at Queen’s School, Ede, Osun State in 1957.

Alele-Williams was also the first president of the African Mathematical Union Commission on Women in Mathematics.