What is your educational background?

I hold a Bachelor of Technology, Industrial Mathematics (First Class, 2010)  and Master of Technology, Industrial Mathematics (Distinction, 2014) from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

I attained a PhD in  Mathematical Biology/Sociology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan (September 2020)

 

What is your current occupation?

I am currently a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

 

What or who got you into STEM?

I have always had outstanding mathematics teachers right from my elementary school days. Going by that, it may not be difficult to see how I turned out to be an Applied Mathematician.

 

What is the biggest challenge/barrier you have faced as an African in STEM?

It is not too easy to access top-notch resources as a result of being based in Africa.

 

How do you think your background/upbringing has been beneficial in your journey/career?

My background of excelling against all odds propelled me to go all the way in getting a world-class doctoral experience.

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How do you think we can start to change the narrative surrounding African contributions
to global STEM research & careers?

Since we have unresponsive and irresponsible governments in Africa, for the most part, we Africans in STEM should look inwards and see how we can collaborate across board to hold our own on the world stage as far as STEM researches and careers are concerned.

     

    What advice would you like to give to young, aspiring Africans in STEM?

    They should look for African role models and mentors in their various fields as there is a wave of renaissance sweeping all over the continent. People are now more conscious about contributing their quotas in raising the coming generations of Africans in STEM. A lot can be achieved faster when they team up with those who have already overcome the usual challenges we face.

     

    Do you have any projects you’re working on that you would like us to highlight?

    I belong to a group known as the African Researchers Network, which has the mandate of putting right things that have gone wrong in Africa via discourses, studies, researches and documentation of ideas that will change the outlook of Africa and Africans. You can check the following link for a colloquium I participated in: https://youtu.be/QymhFmQN6ok