Grace Alele-Williams

**Grace Awani Alele-Williams** OON, FMAN, FNAE (16 December 1932 – 25 March 2022) be Nigerian professor wey know mathematics education. She make history as de first Nigerian woman wey get doctorate, wey she be de first female vice-chancellor for any Nigerian university, for University of Benin.

## Early life den education
DEm born Grace Awani Alele to Itsekiri parents wey dey Warri, Western Region (wey today be Delta State), Nigeria on 16 December 1932. She go Government School for Warri, later Queen's College for Lagos, den University College of Ibadan (wey dem dey call University of Ibadan now). She get master’s degree for mathematics while she dey teach Queen’s School, Ede for Osun State around 1957. Later, she bag ein PhD degree for mathematics education from University of Chicago for U.S. insyd 1963. Na so she cam be de first Nigerian woman wey collect doctorate. Grace Alele marry later dat same year wey people begin know am as Grace Alele-Williams. After dat, she return Nigeria do sam postdoctoral work for University of Ibadan before she join University of Lagos insyd 1965.

## Career
Alele-Williams teaching career start for Queen’s School, Ede, Osun State, wer she teach mathematics from 1954 reach 1957. After dat, she go University of Vermont to work as graduate assistant, wey later she cam be assistant professor. From 1963 reach 1965, Alele-Williams do postdoctoral research fellowship for Department and Institute of Education, University of Ibadan. Na from der dem later appoint am as professor of mathematics for University of Lagos insyd 1976. 

She get special interest for women education. As she spend ten years directing de Institute of Education, she introduce new non-degree programmes wey allow older women wey dey work as elementary school teachers to collect certificate. Alele-Williams always show concern make female African students fit get chance for science den technology subjects. Ein interest for mathematics education start wen she dey stay for US, around de time wey Sputnik matter dey happen. As she dey work plus African Mathematics Program for Newton, Massachusetts, under MIT professor Ted Martins, she join mathematics workshops wey dem hold for different African cities from 1963 reach 1975. Highlights include writing textbooks den correspondence courses wey cover basic mathematics concepts, as she work together plus top mathematicians den educators. One example be de book *Modern Mathematics Handbook for Teachers* wey dem publish insyd 1974. She teach for University of Lagos from 1965 till 1985, wey she spend ten years directing de Institute of Education. For der she introduce new non-degree programmes, wey chaw of de people wey collect certificate be older women wey dey work as elementary school teachers. By serving on different committees den boards, Alele-Williams contribute well to development of education for Nigeria. She be chairman for curriculum review committee for former Bendel State from 1973 to 1979. From 1979 till 1985, she serve as chairman for Lagos State curriculum review committee den sanso Lagos State examinations boards. 

Alele-Williams cam be vice-chancellor for University of Benin insyd 1985, wey make am de first female vice-chancellor for any Nigerian university. She believe say ein appointment, wey end insyd 1992, be “test case to show say woman fit get executive capability”.

Alele-Williams be strong force for reform during de Dark Age of Nigeria higher education for 1980s. Dat time, secret cults, confraternities den societies spread insyd Nigerian universities, especially University of Benin. She still manage make notable contributions to tackle de matter.

After she fini dey serve as vice-chancellor for University of Benin, Alele-Williams join board of directors for Chevron-Texaco Nigeria. She sanso dey board of HIP Asset Management Company Limited, wey be asset management company for Lagos, Nigeria.

Alele-Williams be member of governing council for UNESCO Institute of Education. She sanso work as consultant for UNESCO den Institute of International Education Planning. For ten years (1963–1973), she dey part of African Mathematics Programme wey dey Newton, Massachusetts, United States. She be vice-president for World Organisation for Early Childhood Education, den later she cam be president for Nigeria chapter. She sanso be first president for African Mathematical Union Commission on Women in Mathematics.

She sanso serve ten years (1993–2004) as regional vice-president for Africa for de Third World Organization for Women in Science.

## Personal life den death
Alele-Williams marry Babatunde Abraham Williams (1932–2010) for December 1963, just small time after she return from United States come Nigeria. Williams be political scientist wey, for de time wey dem marry, dey work as senior lecturer for University of Ife, Osun State.

Alele-Williams get five kiddies, den by 2017 she get ten grandkiddies. She go meet ein Maker on 25 March 2022 wen she be 89 years old. De next day, University of Benin lower dema flag half-mast to show respect wey dem mourn ein death.

## Awards
Alele-Williams collect plenty awards den honours. For 1987 she receive Order of the Niger. Dem sanso elect am as Fellow for Mathematical Association of Nigeria den Fellow for Nigerian Academy of Education.

On 28 February 2014, she be among de 100 people wey collect Centenary Award, wey dem call “special recognition” for Nigerians wey make unique contribution to de socio-cultural, economic den political development of de country for de last 100 years.

She dey insyd one deck of playing cards wey show notable women mathematicians, wey Association of Women in Mathematics publish.

## Publications

* "Dynamics of Curriculum Change in Mathematics" – Lagos State Modern Mathematics Project
* "Education of Women for National Development"
* "Report: The Entebbe Mathematics Project"
* "The development of a modern mathematics curriculum in Africa"
* "Education and Government in Northern Nigeria"
* "Education and Status of Nigerian Women"
* "Major Constraints to Women's Access to Higher Education in Africa"
* "The Politics of Administering a Nigerian University"
* "The Political Dilemma of Popular Education: An African Case"

## References


## External links

* Brief Professional Biography and List of Publications