Professor Deborah Olufunmilayo Makinde, a native of Ibadan, is the first female professor of mathematics at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (OAU), and has attained a great feat that seems elusive to many women. The professor, who specialises in Complex Analysis aspects of Mathematics, speaks with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE on her journey, difficulties, mentorship, and family.
Mathematics is a subject many people avoid. As a woman, what is your experience on the field?
I did not envisage being a mathematician. . I initially wanted to be a medical doctor, but I was admitted into the education degree programme. Interestingly, at the point of admission, I was asked to take mathematics as a teaching subject. I had initially been quite determined to pursue my admission to a logical conclusion. As such, I had to practise mathematics intensely and I am happy to tell you that I performed excellently well.
Over the course of my undergraduate years, I found it very convenient to perform much better in mathematically inclined courses. I went for M.Sc. and PhD in mathematics after graduation and I had excellent grades in my MSc. programme which enabled me to progress to my PhD in complex analysis. The beginning was rough, but the end is worth the discipline.
Can you describe Professor Makinde in few words?
I was born on May 5, 1966 in Ibadan, Oyo State. I obtained Bachelors (B.Ed.) in Special Education and Mathematics from the Premier University, University of Ibadan in 1997. Thereafter, I obtained M.Sc. in Mathematics from the same University in 2000 and then bagged my PhD from the University of Ilorin in the year 2011. I am blessed with children.
What are the highlights of your profession aside becoming the rare female professor of mathematics?
They are so many. I have been a recipient of several academic accolades, among which are the CIMPA –UNESCO – MICINN – CAMERON School fellowship on real and complex analysis with applications (Buea 2011), The International Mathematical Congress Grant (2018), as well as other grants and fellowships. In addition, I was one of the first collaborators of the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis Collaborator (LISAC) in Nigeria. I have attended several conferences both home and abroad; Workshop on African Women Mathematician in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (2011), International Conference on Sciences, University Oradea, Oradea, Romania (2013) and African Women in Mathematics Workshop, Kenya (2015).
Have you always taught in the university?
No, I have taught mathematics at all levels of the education ladder. I was a mathematics teacher at Crown Height College, Arulogun road, Ojoo, Ibadan from 1998 to 1999, ESC Model School, Bodija in Ibadan from 2000 to 2002, Mathematics Lecturer at Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate Campus from 2004 -2007 and had since been a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife where I rose to the rank of Professor, effective from October 1, 2020. I have successfully supervised many graduate students and I am an active member of several mathematical societies: Nigeria Mathematical Society (NMS), American Mathematical Society (AMS), African Mathematical Union (AMU), African Women in Mathematics (AWM), Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW). ALSO, I am the Initiator of the Nigerian Women in Mathematics (NWM) and I have published in several reputable high impact journals, mostly abroad and credited with conference proceedings as well.
Do you have any advice for upcoming academics?
If I can do it, anyone else can do it. With discipline and hardwork, anybody, irrespective of their background, can equally do it as well. Academic job requires hardwork, commitment and management of time. With God, success is certain.
How important is mentorship in this journey and who are your mentors?
From experience, it is important. Initially, I wasn’t looking up to anybody as a mentor, considering that I was an “accidental” mathematician. Few of my lecturers were women, and though mathematics is typically assumed to be a difficult course, I want to use this medium to encourage people to know that with proper guidance, students can easily learn it, I have a vast experience in teaching and I am sure that students can easily tap into my wealth of experience at any time. So in summary, my progress was mostly a product of personal discipline, I will say all great mathematicians are my mentors. But my sincere and heartfelt gratitude goes to the Vice Chancellor and the governing council of the Obafemi Awolowo University. Professor Simeon, the Vice Chancellor who is very keen on the welfare and progress of staff in the university. His regular arrangement of Appointment and Promotion Committee (A & PC) meetings is second to none. He is a kind, careful, diligent and a consummate administrator. Without his timely promotion, my pronouncement as the first female Professor of Mathematics in Obafemi Awolowo University, may not happen when it did.
Also, several people have contributed towards my success as an academic, right from my undergraduate years. Both the good and bad aspects of people’s behaviour have been a motivation. My PhD supervisor and the father of Complex Analysis in Nigeria, Prof T. O. Opoola, deserves a special thanks. I commend him for his guidance during my PhD years. I am also grateful to my Msc. Supervisor Prof. G.O.S. Ekhaguere. Back to Obafemi Awolowo University here, I have to thank Prof A.P. Akinola, He brought me to the Obafemi Awolowo University after meeting him at a conference in 2007. He was impressed with my presentation and provided the necessary motivation to apply for employment here.
The Department of Mathematics is like a second home to me. There is an enabling environment here and the necessary peace of mind to concentrate on research and excel. Prof S.S. Okoya gave me the necessary incentive and motivation to properly concentrate on research. I will like to thank Dr. T.G Jaiyeola for his encouragement on the use of Mathematical Packages. Other colleagues in the department are deeply appreciated as well for their various contributions. The present Dean and all previous Deans of the Faculty of Science are duly appreciated as well.
Finally, I thank my family for the understanding and support, what will I be, without my fruits?
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