Grace Awani Alele-Williams: Trailblazer in Nigerian Academia and Women’s Education

Grace Awani Alele-Williams, a trailblazing Nigerian academic, was the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in Nigeria and serve as vice-chancellor of a Nigerian university. Born on December 16, 1932, in Warri, Delta State, to Itsekiri parents, she made indelible marks in mathematics and education.

Grace Alele-Williams began her education at Government School, Warri, and Queen’s College, Lagos, before attending the University College of Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan). In 1957, she earned an MSc in Mathematics while teaching at Queen’s College, Ede, Osun State. She furthered her studies at the University of Chicago, obtaining a PhD in Mathematics Education in 1963.

An advocate for women’s education, she began her teaching career at Queen’s College, Ede, where she taught for three years. She later worked as a graduate assistant and assistant professor at the University of Vermont. From 1963 to 1965, she served as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Education at the University of Ibadan. Her career advanced further in 1976 when she became a professor of mathematics at the University of Lagos.

In 1985, Grace Alele-Williams achieved a historic milestone as the first female Vice-Chancellor of a Nigerian university when she was appointed to lead the University of Benin. After her tenure, she joined the board of directors of Chevron-Texaco Nigeria and HIP Asset Management Company Limited in Lagos.

Her contributions extended beyond Nigeria. She was a member of the UNESCO Institute of Education and served as a consultant to UNESCO and the Institute of International Education Planning.

Grace Alele-Williams was celebrated with numerous awards and honors during her lifetime. She received the Order of the Niger, was elected a Fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Education, and was among 100 individuals honored with the Centenary Award for outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s development. She was also featured in a unique deck of playing cards showcasing notable women mathematicians, published by the Association of Women in Mathematics.

Grace Alele-Williams passed away on March 25, 2022, at the age of 89, leaving behind an inspiring legacy of academic excellence, leadership, and advocacy for women in education.