# Adenike Osofisan

Adenike Osofisan (born 11 March 1950) is a Nigerian professor of Computer science, who specializes in data mining and knowledge management. She is the first Nigerian woman to hold a Ph.D in Computer science, a feat she accomplished in 1989. In 2006, she became a full professor at University of Ibadan, a promotion that made her the first African woman to become a Computer Science professor.

## Quotes

* There are many things that make Lord’s Schools unique. They give the students holistic education and teach them the fear of the Lord. The children are trained to be good citizens of Nigeria. They also have a cattle ranch, poultry, farm, among others.
** Professor Adenike talked on Lord's School in 2019.
* As for Kudirat too, the heroine of democracy, I felt so highly elated that I am being honoured along with those two heroines. I feel proud about it.
** Professor Osofisan in an exclusive chat on the honor given to her in 2019.
* A lot of people get it wrong. The facilities available today are more than what was available in our days. During our time, General Science was only introduced in our final year. However, today, even from primary school, children are exposed to computing, science and the like.
** Professor Adenike compared Standard of Education then and now in 2019.
* I don’t know. Well, I was happy. You know that kind of feeling, a couple of mixed feelings. I was very happy and joyful. At the same time, I just wished my dad was still alive to witness it.
** Professor Adenike expressed how she felt when she was inducted into Nigerian Women Hall of Fame in 2019.
* I was called Iron Lady for being a successful woman.
** Professor Osofisan in punch news in 2019.
* There is no invention that doesn’t bring good and bad. However, it depends on which aspect you want to adopt.
** Professor Adenike on effect of social media in the upbringing of children in 2019.
* To train a student in the university is a lot of money. We play too much politics with education, and as long as you play politics with education, things will not go well. That is the truth.
** Professor Adenike give advice on improvement of education in 2019.
* For me, mathematics is the simplest and most interesting subject that does not require cramming but understanding from basic principles. I guess the love for mathematics is natural for me. General Science was first introduced to my set at Fiwasaiye in 1966. I loved the physics portion of the general science so much and decided to convert to science from arts.
** As a young pupil at Fiwasaiye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, you showed strength in science subjects as you emerged as the school’s best mathematics and physics pupil, why made you love science subjects that much, which some pupils struggle with?
* Our guardian and counsellor in Aiyetoro, Mr Olumide Kuti, encouraged me to read computer science. He asked me to go to the library to read about it because I had no idea what the discipline was about then. Aiyetoro, being an American school then, had a very good library. So I read a book on computer science and fell in love with it instantly.
** You had your first degree in computer science in the 70s, at a time when it was not so popular in Nigeria, let alone for a woman, why did you prefer it to other courses like law and medicine that many parents would want their children to study in those days?
* I went to Georgia Tech because it was listed among the 10 best colleges for computer science education. Yes, computing education was relatively new but I studied computer science/economics at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and was among the first set of students that graduated in 1976. One of our lecturers then, Dr Odeyemi, already had a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Manchester as the first PhD holder in computer science in Nigeria.
** You later went to Georgia Institute of Technology and have studied in other foreign universities, what was your experience in the US, going from a country where computer science wasn’t popular yet to an advanced country?
* I had no culture shock. Many of my teachers in Fiwasaiye Girls’ Grammar School in Akure were foreigners from Britain, US, India and Trinidad and Tobago. I also had a pen pal. But I experienced it when I was at Comprehensive High School. One of our female teachers called me and I said yes, Mrs XYZ (not the real name).
** Usually when people travel to another clime for the first time, they experience culture shock, what was your experience in that regard going to the US for the first time?
* I had to learn patience and to think outside the box. I was given a lot of nicknames like ‘Iron Lady’, ‘Hard-wired electronics’, etc.
** You pioneered in many areas like being the first Nigerian Female Professor of Computer Science in Sub- Saharan Africa; Pioneer President, Nigeria Women in Information Technology and the first female President and Chairman of Council, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, what experience did these come with as it must have attracted so much attention to you?
* Of course yes. It was not an easy thing in the past for men to accept women in authority. Even women at the time were to not as supportive as they are today. I learnt to separate motherhood from ‘workhood’, if you know what I mean. I was a completely different person in the office from who I was at home.
** Were there any challenges that you faced at that stage of your life, like jealousy from men and so on?
* Our stories are very interesting. He was a science pupil who became an arts pupil because of Principal D. J. Bullock. I was an arts pupil and I became a science pupil by providence. We are both familiar with the two terrains.
** Interestingly, just as you are a known name in the IT industry in Nigeria, your husband, Prof Femi Osofisan, is also a renowned professional in the theatre and literature, what are your conversations at home usually like?
* We met in my hometown – Akure – when he was commissioned by the Akure Students’ Union to stage a play. The play was about politicians and my father, Chief J. O. Adedipe, was a politician. He was a lawmaker between 1954 and 1959 and I was curious and wanted to see how the likes of my father behaved. The play was a masterpiece. So I congratulated him at the end of the play. I was not aware that we had met earlier at the park when he arrived in Akure. He later told me that I did not answer him when he greeted me earlier.
** Can you share the story of how a serious science-oriented student met and fell in love with a serious arts student? Was he the one who strayed into a computer lab or did you stray into a theatre?
* The first two are into social sciences while the last two read computer science. However, they all have creative abilities.
** While raising your four children, which area did they tilt more towards or who won between you and your husband – arts or sciences?
* I am his first critic. He is my editor. I have read and watched all his plays. I even attend his rehearsals.
** Over the years, how have the two of you been able to learn more about what the other does and loves? Do you watch plays and read literature and has he also learnt about your field?
* I am grateful to God for all. Each has had its own impact in different ways, so it is difficult to identify one as being the most memorable.
** You have won many awards and prizes and got recognitions for achievements and prizes, but what would you describe as your most memorable moment?
* It was very difficult but not impossible. I learnt time management and multitasking from home and from my secondary school. These came in handy.
** While still studying and doing researches, how easy was it to combine pregnancy and motherhood with your career?
* I still multitask. I am involved in many activities that have to do with my home and being a wife, mother and grandmother. I work as a professor (teaching and researching), and engage in social engagements and professional and church activities. I do not have a dull moment.
** How do you spend your time now?
* Sunday is the only different day; it is the day to rest.
** What about during weekends?
* I have no idea. Officially I am retiring from the University of Ibadan next March. I am on accumulated leave leading to retirement. But I am not on leave in the real sense.
** When do you plan to fully retire?
* Doing what I enjoy doing.
** So how do you plan to spend your retirement?
* I would have loved to do certain things differently but no regrets. At the beginning I fought all battles that came my way, but with hindsight, I’ve realised that not all battles are worth fighting because you will just dissipate energy on needless battles. Don’t ask me for an example of such battles; they are personal and may cause embarrassment to some people.
** Looking back today, do you have any regrets?
* We have always lived life to the full. We will continue to do the same.
** Now that all your children are grown, are there ways by which you and your husband still spark up your love life?
* Give and take! Forgive each other because nobody is perfect.
** A lot of young people go into marriage today and soon get a divorce, what have been the secrets in your case that some people can learn from?
* We should go back to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s plan. With respect to Chief Awolowo, his definition of education was that ‘it is the right of every child to be educated’ and he gave children quality and free education. The education they gave me at Ife was solid, so I was able to fit into Geogia Tech. Awolowo gave scholarships across the board to students who did very well. Some scholarships for science students included book allowance. Awolowo had a blueprint for free education before it was introduced. He was well prepared for free education compared with nowadays that people (politicians) promise free education without being fully prepared for it.
** Many things have been said about the state of education in Nigeria, as a core educationist, how do you think Nigeria can improve the education standard?
* In fairness, I didn’t come across anything like sex- for-marks but I did come across discrimination that was gender and racial-biased. Some people believe that if you are a woman or black, you cannot be really good (intelligent).
** Were you at any point in time a victim of sex-for-marks while you were in school?

## Quotes about Adenike Osofian

* Prof Adenike Osofisan is a pioneer and role model in the field of computer science. She has taught computer science at the University of Ibadan for well over two decades now and she has successfully supervised many PhD candidates in her discipline.
** The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, UI, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka acknowledged Adenike Osofisan in 2019.
* Some academics had been honoured with one of the annual national awards and the NNOM. So, it would not be unusual if apart from the annual award l had recommended, if Professor (Mrs) Osofisan is also considered for the NNOM award.
** Suggestion on how Professor Adenike should be given the national award in 2020.
* But of all of our old man’s offspring Nike is the first among equals in brilliancy and academic achievements.
** One of the sibling to Professor Adenike speak on her brilliancy in 2020.
* This is more than the fact that she was the first female graduate and pioneer woman professor of computer science in Nigeria.
** Professor Adenike was applauded in 2020.
* But also because as stated in my earlier articles on her, she is an inventor and an academic who had brought honour to the country.
** Alhaji Saka, an author praises Professor Adenike in 2020.

## External links

* Authority control: VIAF: 176515176 | WorldCat search