Grace Alele-Williams

Grace Alele-Williams (born December 16, 1932) made history as the first Nigerian woman to become the head (vice-chancellor) of a Nigerian university, the University of Benin.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Born in Warri, Alele-Williams attended Government School, Warri, and Queen's College, Lagos. She attended the University College (now the University of Ibadan), the University of Vermont (U.S.). and the University of Chicago (U.S.).[2]

Academic career

Her teaching career started at Queen’s School, Ede Osun State, where she was mathematics master from 1954 until 1957.[4] She left for the University of Vermont to become a graduate assistant and later assistant professor. Between 1963 and '65, Alele-Williams was a post doctoral research fellow, department (and institute) of Education, University of Ibadan from where she was appointed a professor of mathematics at the University of Lagos in 1976.[2]

By serving in various committees and boards, Alele-Williams had made useful contributions in the development of education in Nigeria. She was chairman of the curriculum review committee, former Bendel State 1973-1979. From 1979-1985, she served as chairman of the Lagos State Curriculum Review Committee and Lagos State Examinations Boards.[5]

Alele-Williams was a member of governing council, UNESCO Institute of Education. She is also a consultant to UNESCO and Institute of International Education Planning.[6][7] For a decade (1963–73) she was a member of the African Mathematics Programme, located in Newton, Massachusetts, United States.[2] She was also vice-president of the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education and later president of the Nigerian chapter. Alele-Williams has published a book titled Modern Mathematics Handbook for Teachers. After serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, she joined the board of directors of Chevron-Texaco Nigeria. She is also on the board of HIP Asset Management Company Ltd, an Asset Management Company in Lagos, Nigeria.

Personal life

She has 5 children and 10 grandchildren.

References

  1. ↑ Nkechi Nwankwo (2006), Women Leadership in Nigeria: Stories of Four Women Role Models, Lagos: Deutchetz Publishers. Review by Theresa Onwughalu in the Daily Sun, July 25, 2006.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Biographical sketches of famous African mathematicians: Grace Alele Williams", AMUCHMA Newsletter (African Mathematical Union, Commission on the History of Mathematics in Africa) 12.
  3. ↑ "Prof. Mrs. Grace Alele Williams OFR, HLR". Hallmarks of Labour Foundation. November 28, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ Larry Riddle, "Grace Alele Williams", Biographies of Women Mathematicians, Agnes Scott College.
  5. ↑ "Grace Alele Williams - Black Women in Mathematics". The State University of New York at Buffalo. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  6. ↑ "Women in Higher Education Management" (pdf). Unesco: 7. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Grace Alele Williams; Black Women in Mathematics". The State University of New York at Buffalo. Retrieved January 13, 2013.

External links

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