The first Nigerian female Vice Chancellor, Grace Alele-Williams is dead.
Late Alele-Williams who was the first Nigerian woman to receive a Doctorate, died on Friday, March 25, at the age of 89.
A professor of mathematics, late Alele-Williams made history as the first female Vice Chancellor at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State. She was also the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate degree.
Born in Warri, Delta state, Prof Alele-Williams attended Government School, Warri; Queen’s College, Lagos and the University College of Ibadan (now University of Ibadan).
She obtained a master’s degree in mathematics while teaching at Queen’s School, Ede in Osun State in 1957 and her 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.
Alele-Williams returned to Nigeria for a couple of years’ postdoctoral work at the University of Ibadan before joining the University of Lagos in 1965.
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.
She participated in the African Mathematics Programme based at the Educational Development Center, Newton, Massachusetts. The goal of the programme was to consider changes in Mathematics education in Africa.
By serving in various committees and boards, Alele-Williams made useful contributions to the development of education in Nigeria. She was chairman of the Curriculum Review Committee, former Bendel State (1973-1979).
From 1979 to1985, she served as chairman of the Lagos State Curriculum Review Committee and Lagos State Examinations Board.
Her burial arrangement is to be announced by the family later.
Grace Alele-Williams was a professor of mathematics education, who made history as the first Nigerian vice-chancellor at the University of Benin and first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate.
Grace Alele-Williams was the first Nigerian to be awarded a doctorate. She became a professor of mathematical education, then the first female Nigerian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin.