Home News Akinwumi Adesina meets Africa’s first female VC, Grace Alele-Williams

Akinwumi Adesina meets Africa’s first female VC, Grace Alele-Williams

Akinwumi Adesina and Grace Alele-Williams

President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has met former vice-chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof Grace Alele-Williams.

The 86-year-old is also the first Nigerian woman to get a doctorate degree (PhD) and first woman to become vice-chancellor of an African University.

Adesina shared a picture of their meeting on Friday on Twitter.

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He hailed her as a great role model for everyone.

“So glad to see Professor Grace Alele Williams: first Nigerian woman to get a PhD. Nigeria’s first female Vice-Chancellor. A distinguished Emeritus Professor of Mathematics! She broke all barriers, all the concrete ceilings. A great role model for girls, boys, women and men!???,” he said.

Adesina, a former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, is married to Grace Yemisi.

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The pair got married in 1984 and have two children, Rotimi and Segun.

Adesina became the first Nigerian to hold the post of AfD President after his election in 2015.

A professor of mathematics education, Alele-Williams was UNIBEN VC from 1985 to 1991.

Theme:
Creativity, Culture & Nigeria's Next Chapter

Date & Time:
August 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Venue:
Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos

Click here to register

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