₦airaland Forum

Nigeria’s first female Vice Chancellor, Grace Alele-Williams has died at the age of 89.

Ms Alele-Williams, a professor of mathematics gained prominence after she was appointed the vice-chancellor of the prestigious University of Benin in 1985.

Her tenure witnessed a drastic reduction in cultism, a menace in UNIBEN at the time.

Before her appointment as vice-chancellor, she made history as the first Nigerian woman to obtain a doctorate degree in Mathematics education in 1963, a rare feat in the sixties.

President Muhammadu Buhari had facilitated with the former VC on her 89th birthday in December 2021, applauding her role in sanitising UNIBEN of cultism.

“President Buhari congratulates the educationist on her achievements over many years, inspired by vision and hard work, becoming the first woman to earn a Ph.D in Nigeria (1963), and using her resources to create opportunities for other women, particularly in getting education,” partly read the statement issued by Mr Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina.

The circumstances surrounding her death are unclear as at the time of filing this report.

PROFESSOR GRACE ALELE WILLIAMS

Grace Alele williams was born in December 16,1932 in Delta State to an Itsekiri mother and Owan (Edo) father from Sobe. She is a first cousin to Admiral Abiodun Dele Ojeifo Alele,the Sobe-born King of Adawa juju-highlife Music. She attended the Government school in Warri, then queens college, Lagos and the University College of Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan).

After completing her undergraduate education, she became a master in mathematics at Queen's school, Ede Osun state, from 1954 until 1957.

Alele Williams obtained her Ph.D in mathematics Education at the University of Chicago in 1963 with a dissertation on "Dynamics of Education in the Birth of a New Nation: Case study of Nigeria". She became the first female professor of mathematics education in 1974. During this time, she also directed the Institute of Education where she introduced programs to benefit teachers as well as being a participant of the African Mathematics Educational Development Center of Newton, Massachusetts, whose goal was to consider changes in mathematics education in Africa.

She has a special interest in women education. While spending a decade directing the Institute of Education, she introduced innovative non degree programmes, allowing older women working as elementary school teachers to receive certificates. Alele-Williams has always demonstrated concern for the access of female African students to scientific and technological subjects

In 1985, Alele Williams became the first female Vice Chancellor of an African university when she accepted that position at the University of Benin. She remained as Vice Chancellor until 1991.
Professor Alele-Williams also served in various committees and boards, she had made useful contributions in the development of education in Nigeria.

Alele-Williams was a consultant to UNESCO and the Institute of International Education Planning for a decade (1963–1973). She was chairman of the curriculum review committee, former Bendel State 1973-1979. From 1979-1985, she served as chairman of the Lagos State Curriculum Review Committee and Lagos State Examinations Boards.

After serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, she joined the board of directors of Chevron-Texaco Nigeria. She was also vice-president of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education and later president of the Nigerian chapter. Alele-Williams published a book titled "Modern Mathematics Handbook for Teachers" and numerous articles in national and international academic journals.

Professor Alele-Williams has won many awards, she was the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate degree. Among her honors include Order of the Niger 1987, Fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and of the Nigerian Academy of Education; Merit Award Winner of Bendel State in Nigeria; and Regional Vice President for Africa of the Third World Organization for Women in Science” (Science in Africa: Women Leading from Strength AAAS, Washington, 1993. It may be added that Professor Williams is also the Chairwoman of AMUCWMA, the African Mathematical Union Commission for Women in Mathematics.

Professor Grace Alele Williams was married to late Professor Babatunde Williams and they are blessed with five children and nine grandchildren

Grace Alele-Williams, Professor of Mathematics, 1st female VC in #Nigeria, former VC of @uniben.... Thank you for a life of service....��

These young ladies attended the University of Ibadan and received their diplomas in 1953.

Florence Gabrielle Abiola Adeniran (Martins), Olusolape Folasade Ifaturoti (Akinkugbe), Grace Awani Alele-Williams (Williams), and Folasade Adetoun Omolara Ogunseye are pictured from left to right (Banjo).

Professor Adetoun Ogunseye of the University of Ibadan's Department of Education and Information Science was Nigeria's first female professor, while Professor Alele-Williams of the University of Benin was the first woman to be a senior.

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Iyaebe:
Beautiful woman who lived a fulfilled life RIP

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