Image by Punch
Nike Osofisan made history in 1989 as the first Nigerian woman to earn a PhD in computer science. In 2006, she further solidified her place in history by becoming the first African woman to hold the title of computer science professor.
Adenike attended secondary school at Fiwasaiye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, and Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, before proceeding to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, to study Computer Science and Economics. After this, she went to the Georgia Institute of Technology to pursue her masters in Information and Computer science.
She started her career as a lecturer at Ibadan Polytechnic before becoming the dean of the faculty after a few years. She later joined the University of Ibadan as the acting head of the Department of Computer Science and became a full professor in 2006.
In a discussion with Punch in 2019, Adenike said that as someone who pioneered in many areas, she was given nicknames like Iron Lady, Hard-wired electronics, etc. In her words, “It was not easy in the past for men to accept women in authority.”
Adenike is a renowned pioneer who has received numerous awards. For instance, in 2019, she was honoured with induction into the Nigeria Women Hall of Fame. In 2023, she became the president of Nigeria Women in Information Technology. She was also the first female president and chairman of the governing council of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria.