Deborah Ajakaiye

Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye (born 1940) is a Nigerian geophysicist. She is the first female physics professor in Africa and her work in geophysics has played an important role in mining in Nigeria.[1]

Early life and education

Ajakaiye was born in 1940 in the city of Jos, the capital of Plateau State in Nigeria. She was the fifth of sixth children. Her parents believed in equal education of the sexes and distributed household chores among both the male and female children. In 1962 she graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in physics. She received a master's degree at the University of Birmingham in England, and in 1970 received her Ph.D. in geophysics from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. Originally interested in mathematics, Ajakaiye says she chose to pursue geophysics because she believed it could help her country.[1]

Career

Ajakaiye became the first female professor of physics in Africa in 1980. She has taught at Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Jos, serving as the dean of natural sciences at the latter. Her work with geovisualization has been used to locate both mineral deposits and groundwater in Nigeria. She has also created a gravity map of Nigeria,[2] working with several of her female students.[1] Ajakaiye stated that many male scientists had changed their perception of women scientists after interacting with her and her students.[3] After retirement she devoted her time to a Nigeria-based charity, CCWA,[4] which she had founded in 1991.

Awards

Ajakaiye has been recognized for both her scientific advancements and her aid to the nation of Nigeria. The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society honored her for her work, making her the first woman to receive the award. She was also the first black African to be named a fellow of the Geological Society of London.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Oakes, Elizabeth H. (2002). International encyclopedia of women scientists. New York, NY: Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-4381-7.
  2. ↑ Ajakaiye, DE; Burke,K (1973). "A Bouguer gravity map of Nigeria.". Tectonophysics. 16 (1): 103–115. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(73)90134-0.
  3. ↑ Yount, Lisa (1999). A to Z of women in science and math. New York, NY: Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-3797-3.
  4. ↑ CCWA Christian Care for Widows, Widowers, Aged and Orphans.
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