People usually react to them with shock or disbelief, because in most countries it is uncommon for people to complete a doctorate degree before the age of 30. But for these prodigies, breaking the educational status quo is their stock-in-trade.
With determination, hard work and sacrifice, these young African scholars have made the continent proud by joining an elite list of young scholars around the world that have earned or pursued a doctorate while still in their early 20s.
Check them out:
He received his PhD at the age of 22
Nkemehule Karl Omebere-Iyari
The Nigerian received his PhD in chemical engineering from University of Nottingham, UK, in 2006 when he was 22. An old student of Kings College, Lagos, Omebere-Iyari had 8 As in his WAEC result at age 16. He emerged the best graduating student in chemical engineering that year. Having received a university scholarship, this gifted personality went ahead to pursue his PhD and specialized in multiphase flow. He completed his doctorate in the record time of three years. Dr Omebere-Iyari has since worked with many multinational corporations such as Shell and Halliburton. He has also earned an MBA with distinction from INSEAD/Wharton.
Musawenkosi Saurombe received her PhD when she was 23
Musawenkosi Saurombe
The Zimbabwean scholar graduated with a PhD in Industrial Psychology from South Africa’s North-West University (NWU) in 2017 when she was 23. She nailed her PhD thesis, which explored the “management perspectives talent value propositions for academic staff members in higher education.” Saurombe was born in Zimbabwe but grew up in neighbouring Botswana. She skipped a grade in elementary school and entered the university at the age of 16, moving to South Africa to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at North-West University.
By 19, Saurombe completed her first degree, advancing immediately to her post-graduate studies and receiving a Master’s degree with distinction at the age of 21. Notwithstanding her busy schedule as a teacher and researcher, Saurombe finds time for community service, mentoring young people, especially girls, to set their sights on the future and believe that they can be absolutely anything they want to be.
She got a doctorate degree at the age of 25
Opeyemi Shodipe
When she was 19, she received her bachelor’s degree from Babcock University. Following the completion of her national youth service programme, Shodipe entered for a master’s program at the University of Ibadan, where she graduated best in her department. She crowned it with a doctorate degree in information science from Babcock University at the age of 25.
Maths genius Olaoluwa Hallowed Oluwadara
Olaoluwa Hallowed Oluwadara
He became a doctor of Mathematics at the age of 24, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5. The Ekiti State indigene born in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) graduated from the University of Lagos as the Best Graduating PhD holder. He has two first degrees in mathematics and physics which he pursued simultaneously. He also has master’s degree in the same courses, which he run concurrently.
The interesting fact about Oluwadara is that he was born and bred in a French-speaking country but he still managed to do well in academics in the English language. When asked how he achieved the feat, Oluwadara said even though he was studying French in school, he spoke English at home, so the transition from French to English was smooth.
Dr Salihu Dasuki Nakande
Dr Salihu Dasuki Nakande
Born in October 1987, he is one of the youngest PhD holders in northern Nigeria. He graduated with a first class degree in Information Technology from Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), North Cyprus at 21. Dr Salihu completed his Master’s degree at Brunel University, U.K. He topped it with a PhD in the same University in 2012 when he was 25.
