Oluwatoyin A. Odeku learned at an early age how difficult it can be for women to embark on an academic career. ‘Only a few of my girlfriends made it to university. Many of them married early and therefore had to take care of a family at an early stage’, explains the pharmacy professor from Ibadan in Nigeria. There was no question of equal opportunities.

The now 58-year-old scientist subsequently experienced how young, talented students had to abandon their studies or PhD due to strict family commitments or because their husbands wouldn’t support their studies. Yet Oluwatoyin A. Odeku also experienced how many of the women’s problems could be solved, and with a little support they could realise their dream of an academic career.

The significance of mentoring for women in academia

There was an administrative assistant in the faculty where Oluwatoyin A. Odeku works who really wanted to obtain a PhD in law. Her three children and the need to earn money meant, however, that she didn’t have any time left for research. With support from Oluwatoyin A. Odeku, at that time Dean of the Pharmaceutical Faculty at the University of Ibadan, she ultimately managed to complete her thesis. ‘We sat down together and made a plan of how she needed to organise things so that she could find two hours a day to spend on her PhD thesis’, says Oluwatoyin A. Odeku. The woman is now working as a senior lecturer at a higher education institution.

It became clear to Oluwatoyin A. Odeku through examples such as this how important good can be in enabling women to pursue academic careers. In 2018, she took part in a programme financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to enhance the prospects of higher education for women. In this context, she developed a structured mentoring programme for young female academics from Nigeria. This programme combines experienced female academics with early career female academics. The programme is currently supporting 140 women. ‘They receive intensive personal coaching and we also explain to the women how they can apply for scholarships and other funding options.’ Oluwatoyin A. Odeku’s commitment was recognised in 2021 with the by the .

Educational barriers for women in Nigeria

Women in Nigeria often have to overcome major obstacles if they want to gain a foothold in . Girls are already disadvantaged when it comes to their . It’s not seen as unusual in some regions of the country to compel girls to marry as early as 13 years of age, explains Oluwatoyin A. Odeku. ‘This also puts an end to their schooling.’ Many families also feel they are unable to afford secondary education for all their children. ‘Preference is mostly given to boys.’

Especially for women, there is generally a lot of social pressure to marry as soon as possible and have children, explains Oluwatoyin A. Odeku. ‘A woman in her mid-20s who is not married is not well respected. Highly educated women are also deemed to be too opinionated.’ Many families fear that their daughters will become too independent if they attend university and be unable to find a husband. Men are not infrequently concerned that their wives could be superior to them if they have a university degree. ‘All of this makes it difficult for young women to decide on and stick with an academic career.’

‘The mentoring programme is the most significant success of my career’

Oluwatoyin A. Odeku herself was always able to rely on her family’s support. Her parents were anxious to ensure that all their children had good education. ‘We are seven brothers and sisters and all attended university’, she recalls. She also tells us that her husband has always supported her. Together with her husband, Oluwatoyin A. Odeku has raised three children and at the same time enjoyed an impressive academic career.

She conducted research at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, worked as a Visiting Professor among other places in Bonn, Potsdam and Accra and is active in international research groups. In the course of her career she received numerous distinctions and fellowships, including a  by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Oluwatoyin A. Odeku is a member of the Science Association of Nigeria and of the African Academy of Sciences. She is also a Humboldt Ambassador Scientist for Nigeria.

Albeit she considers the mentoring programme to be one of her most significant successes. ‘An evaluation indicated that 90 per cent of the women who participated were able to achieve their objectives. That’s a very nice affirmation.’