A young Nigerian woman, Bridget Ujah-Ognuagu, has defied the odds to achieve the highest academic qualification, earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science despite her humble beginnings.
Her remarkable achievement made her the first-ever university graduate in her family and the first PhD holder.
Bridget grew up in a modest family where financial struggles were a daily reality. As a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, she learned the value of hard work and perseverance as prerequisites for success.
”I remember at about age 8, I was already joining my mom in her petty trading, I would joyfully follow her to various bush markets on such market days. If I was not at my mom’s shop, I and my siblings would be in the farm with our dad who loves to farm a lot. ,” she recalled.
Despite these challenges, Bridget was determined to get an education. She attended community primary and secondary schools, which were the best her parents could afford at the time.
Bridget’s journey to higher education began in 2006 when she gained admission to study Computer Science at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Nigeria.
Through hard work and dedication, she graduated in 2010, finishing among the top students in her class and finally becoming the first graduate in her family.
Bridget’s academic journey did not stop there. In 2013, she enrolled for a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
She juggled studying the degree with a full-time job and family responsibilities which she described as no easy task. ” I spent about 16 hours on the road biweekly to attend classes, while juggling a full-time job and family,” she said.
Despite the struggles, Bridget excelled in her master’s program, graduating in 2015 with an impressive cumulative grade point of 4.37, one of the best results in her class.
Bridget’s passion for education led her to pursue the highest academic honor—a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Ilorin.
However, this journey came with even greater challenges. She is studying for her doctoral research amidst two pregnancies, becoming a mother managing her home as a wife, working, and pushing academics.
Bridget survived the difficulties and in 2023, she defended her thesis, graduating as a Doctor of Computer Science.
She hopes the story of her humble beginning and academic journey will inspire someone. ”This is only an indication that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to achieve!” she said.
