African Women in STEM

3 women in the archive worked for women in STEM. They came from different countries and different centuries, but each of them saw a wrong that others accepted and set out to change it. Read their stories to see how the same cause looked from very different lives.

3 women in the archive

Portrait of Adenike Osofisan, NigeriaModern

Adenike Osofisan

Nigeria · 1950–present

First Nigerian woman to earn a PhD in Computer Science (1989) and first female professor of Computer Science at the University of Ibadan. Pioneer in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computing education in Nigeria.

TechnologyComputer Science +2
Portrait of Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, NigeriaModern

Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye

Nigeria · 1940–present

First female physics professor in Africa and a leading Nigerian geophysicist. Her work in geophysics played an important role in mining and natural resource exploration in Nigeria.

ScienceGeophysics +2
Portrait of Francisca Nneka Okeke, NigeriaModern

Francisca Nneka Okeke

Nigeria · 1956–present

First female professor of physics in Nigeria. Her research in space science and ionospheric physics earned international recognition, including the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science award.

SciencePhysics +2