NiDCOM celebrates first Black woman with Pure Mathematics PhD in S’Africa, another Nigerian

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The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated two Nigerian women in the diaspora for their respective accomplished feats.

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The duo are Prof. Oghenetega Ighedo, who recently became the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of South Africa, and Ugwechi Amadi, who was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of McDonald’s, describing their achievements as a source of pride for Nigeria.

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Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement issued on Wednesday by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the accomplishments of the two women were “a source of immense pride for Nigeria.”

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She described them as “clear proof of the talent, resilience and intellectual capacity of Nigerians who continue to make an impact on the global stage.”

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According to the statement, Ighedo made history as the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of South Africa and is currently an Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences at the institution.

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The statement said she has distinguished herself through her academic and research work and “continues to inspire greater participation in mathematics and STEM fields.”

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According to the release, Amadi was recently appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of McDonald’s. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Rhodes Scholar and holds a PhD from the University of Oxford.

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She has also held senior leadership positions at LIV Golf, Nike and Boston Consulting Group.

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Dabiri-Erewa said the achievements of the two women “also underscore the importance of creating opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly women and girls, to pursue excellence in leadership, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other critical areas.”

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She further commended Amadi and Ighedo “for breaking barriers in their respective fields and for serving as role models for the younger generation.”

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The NiDCOM boss reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to celebrating Nigerians in the diaspora.

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She said NiDCOM would continue “celebrating and promoting the achievements of Nigerians in the diaspora,” noting that “their success stories continue to strengthen Nigeria’s global reputation and inspire meaningful connections between the diaspora and the homeland.”

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Dabiri-Erewa wished both women continued success as they advanced in their respective careers and made further contributions to global development.

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