Solving maths problems became a passion especially with the joy I derive when I eventually arrive at the answer for some very difficult exercises though sometimes it spanned through a long time
Education
- 2010 : Ph.D. Applied Mathematics. LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
- 1995 : M.Sc. Mathematics. ATB University Bauchi, Nigeria
- 1991 : B.Sc. Mathematics. University of Ilorin, Nigeria
- 2014: Post- Doctoral Research. Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria
- 2004 : Doctoral Research Studies. Centre Automatique et Systèmes, Ecole des Mines de Paris, Fontainebleau, France.
Professional experience
- Senior Lecturer (Mathematics). University of Abuja, Nigeria
- Research Fellow (Mathematics). National Mathematical center, Abuja, Nigeria
- Senior Lecturer (Mathematics). Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria
Questionnaire
Your story with mathematics
Can you tell us something about your story? Why did you join the field of Mathematics? How did you discover your passion for mathematics? Or When have you decided to be a mathematician and why?
My interest in Mathematics started from my elementary school days. Then my father made me believe that Arithmetic was the bedrock of all learning. By this I determine to attain excellence in my arithmetic class. This made me to ensure that I attended to all exercises under every topic treated in school. This continued to my secondary school days where I spent a good part of my nights on solving exercises on Mathematics, including the ones that my Teachers could not resolve in the classroom. This then became a passion especially with the joy I derive when I eventually arrive at the answer for some very difficult exercises though sometimes it spanned through a long time.
What fascinates you about Mathematics?
The fact that if you keep your hands on a particular problem no matter how difficult it looks, applying the right formula carefully, you will eventually get the right answer.
Did you have a role model that influenced your decision to become a mathematician? Or has anyone influenced your decision to become a mathematician and how?
Yes, my father from the beginning of my education motivated me. Then teachers along the line encouraged me by the good commendations they gave each time there is an exceptional performance.
What is the funniest or most memorable thing that has happened to you while working in mathematics?
I remembered my third year in high school when my teacher gave a test on some problems on surd. None of us got the answer and when the teacher was to give the correction, his answer after much struggle did not agree with the one on the textbook. At the end he said the textbook was wrong. But I was not satisfied with his submission, so when the school closed for the term I continued to work on this same problem seeking for help from other textbooks and senior students. Eventually, I stumbled on the right method and discovered the error that caused the wrong answer. Then the correct answer came which was in agreement with the textbook. When the school resumed the next session, I presented the answer to my teacher who was so amazed to discover that I continued to work on the problem for that length of time.
Career and Family
Do you come from an academic family?
I am not from an academic family. My father was a priest in the church.
Is it hard to manage both career and private life? Do you have kids? Tell us about balancing family life with work life?
Managing both family and career is a major challenge. I have my husband and four (4) children to attend to. When my children were younger I had to most of my academic/ research work at night and spend the day time for office and family attention.
Women and Mathematics
What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome? Did you ever have the impression that it would be easier/harder if you were male?
For me there were no particular obstacles that made me feel it would be easier or harder if I were a male.
Tell us about the organizations for women mathematicians that you are a part of? How has this helped your career?
The Nigerian Women in Mathematics is doing very well and giving women mathematicians a voice and a sense of belonging.
Do you consider it necessary to organize special programs like Girl’s Day promoting mathematics for girls in schools? What else, do you think, could further be done to support woman with mathematics as their career?
Special programs for promoting Mathematics in schools should be highly encouraged towards reaching out to girls and motivating them to develop careers in Mathematics. Incentive schemes can also be introduced to motivate girls into choosing the career.
Teaching mathematics, especially to non-mathematicians, can be a challenge. What is your strategy to catch and keep the attention of your audience?
My strategy has always been first to remove ‘the Mathematics Phobia’ from my students. Most students are as bad as they appear to be in Mathematics but along the line have been captured by the phobia for Mathematics. Oh, it is a hard subject; you can never do well in it. Also I try as much as possible to introduce every problem with practical/life applications in order to catch the attention of my students.
Conclusion
What are your biggest achievements, and what your biggest failures?
My biggest achievement in this career is the joy of seeing students who have lost hope in Mathematics turn around and with good performances by this motivation
Which advice would you give to young girls who want to engage a career in mathematics?
To pursue the career in Mathematics with all vigor because it is rewarding