The Nigeria’s first female professor of Mathematics Education was born on December 16, 1932, in Delta to an Itsekiri mother and Owan father from Sobe, Edo State. Here is the biography of the Record Breaker
Professor Grace Alele-Williams, first female Vice-Chancellor and first female of Mathematics Education in Nigeria’s history, is dead.
Platforms Africa reports that Alele-Williams, breathed her last in Lagis at the age of 89 years.
The Nigeria’s first female professor of Mathematics Education was born on December 16, 1932, in Delta to an Itsekiri mother and Owan father from Sobe, Edo State.
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The management of the University of Benin, on Saturday, ordered the flying of the institution’s flag at half-mast to mourn her death as scholars, government functionaries and institutions across the World poured eulogies on the late Professor.
Alele-Williams, Platforms Africa reports, was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin in 1985.
In a statement, the University of Benin’s spokesperson, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, said that the current Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Lilian Salami, mourned the passing of her predecessor, on behalf of the university community.
Salami, the second female vice-chancellor in the institution after Alele-Williams, described the late former and first female vice-chancellor as an iconic giant for breaking the glass ceiling for other women to blossom.
She expressed solace in the fact that the late professor was being celebrated rather than mourned.
“The Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff, Alumni, and Students, mourns the passing of her predecessor, Prof. Grace Alele- Williams.
“Prof. Salami described the late former and first female vice-chancellor of the University of Benin as an iconic giant who broke the glass ceiling for other women to blossom,’’ Dr. Ehanire stated.
Alele-Williams: Biography of A Record Breaker
Attaining to the position of the Vice Chancellor in a University is a big feat. One who will get to such high and honorable position must have attained higher university degrees.
Grace Alele Williams was the first woman to become a university Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria. She attained this noble rank, Vice-Chancellor University of Benin in the year 1985.
Professor Grace Williams who was born in Warri, had her Secondary education in Queen’s College, Lagos. She obtained her first and second degrees from the University of Ibadan. Young Grace, taught Mathematics in Queen’s School, Ede in Osun State after her first degree.
In 1963, She became the first Nigeria Woman to have a Ph.D. Grace Williams earned her doctorate degree in Mathematics from the University of Chicago. She was appointed an assistant professor in Vermont University.
The great mathematician returned to Nigeria and joined University of Ibadan, Siggy reports. She was pronounced a professor of mathematics in 1976. She progressed to the University of Lagos as a senior mathematics lecturer.
Professor Grace Alele Williams was an internationally respectable mathematician. She led numerous workshops on mathematics both in Africa and in United States of America. She is a winner of many awards both in Nigeria and across the world.
In 1985, Professor Williams became the first Nigeria Woman to be made a University Vice-Chancellor. She was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin. She contributed immensely to the development of education in Nigeria and Africa. Her footprints shall remain forever.
