•I hope to keep mentoring, motivating more female scientists

From Felix Ikem, Nsukka

For Prof. Francisca Nneka Okeke, a Professor of Physics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), life is indeed a gradual process.

She has contributed to the development of Physics at the secondary and tertiary levels in Nigeria, writing several textbooks and articles that have enhanced the teaching and learning of the subject in the country.

In August 2025, Prof Okeke was honoured by The International Astronomical Union (IAU) by naming Asteroid 14983 “Okeke”, after her.

This is coming after she was internationally recognised for her research on the ionosphere and its influence on climate and space weather, which has advanced the global understanding of atmospheric physics.  The naming of the asteroid serves as a permanent and lasting tribute to Prof Okeke’s remarkable scientific achievements and contributions to the field.

Saturday Sun took a trip to UNN where she lectures in the Department of Physics/Astronomy, and had a hearty chat with her.

What does it mean when an Asteroid is named after someone?

It is an honour bestowed by the International Astronomical Union, IAU to commemorate an individual of significance; that is a recognised individual.

What led the International Astronomical Union to name Asteroid 149831 “Okeke” after you?

The Union recognised my work, particularly my research on the ionosphere, its parts on climate and space weather. Also, they recognised my past work as a laureate by the Laurel, UNESCO Award for Women in Science for Physical Science I had in the past. This is because they mentioned that I have already had an International award.

Also, it was not only my past works that made me get the UNESCO award. They also recognised me as somebody who is after mentoring women in science and women’s education. They also found out that I have done groundbreaking research in ionospheric Physics as well as Geophysics.

How were you able to reshape the global understanding of atmospheric Physics with your research work?

Yes. This is because most often, people do not know that there is a relationship between atmospheric Physics and Earth’s interior. It was my group that went into this research. And it is like we have used it in mapping the mountain conductivity in West Africa, East Africa and Central Africa. We are trying to create a profile that when you want to do the research, it will be very easy, looking at our resources and awards. It is not like going over the equations and all these things we have used before. And also, the findings from my different works in Japan portray that there are some abnormalities noticed in the daily variations; HDZ element that could be due to induction. That was around the time there was a Tsunami in the US. This our work, they were like they were trying to find out, is it the induction that even caused the tsunami.

It raised controversies that many people became interested in and started asking, Is it true?

What does this recognition mean to you as a Professor and teacher at UNN?

This recognition has motivated me more. Even before my Laurel UNESCO award, I was motivated. I was only trying to mentor especially females in science because it gives me joy. When I left Brazil, after some months, I was invited to Morgan State University, US. And there, the dean then, Oliver told me please give us a lecture, particularly with female students because many of them were dropping from sciences. This lecture would motivate them. I did that. The following day, we had the lecture. So, if I had lived in US, I would not have been able to produce these thirty-six PhD students and about ten professors in Physics. We have four here in UNN. Even one of my female professor students got Sub-Saharan award recently.

Though I will be retiring next year, I don’t mind because I have mentored so many of them. I will be happy when I come back and see them.

Now that you have been given this recognition, what is next for you and your career?

Like I said, my career, even though I am retiring next year, I am still interested in monitoring and mentoring people, seeing that my field is moving forward. Some of us will tell you that once they retire, they move to East. I am not moving to East. I can travel and come back. I want to know if we are moving forward. Sometimes when you move, there will be laxity. But, they need encouragement. They need support. And I am sure, I am happy that is what I am giving them. Not only in UNN. There are many in Delta, Minna, Calabar, Uyo and others.

What motivated you to get to this academic height and recognition?

I will cut it short. My motivation started when I was in elementary school. Back then when aeroplane would be passing, we would come out and be shouting “aeroplane give me money.” But back then I would ask my teacher, why is it that aircraft will fly in the sky and there is no road there? My teacher would tell me, it is science and physics that teach you that. When I gained admission into secondary school, I also asked my teacher why is it that sky changes every now and then?

Again they would tell me physics and science would teach you that. Added to this, my father was a great mentor to me. He taught me mathematics at early stage starting from Class 1. He was a mathematician. This love for mathematics metamorphosed into love for physics.

With all these awards, how close are you to Alfred Nobel Prize I. Physics?

Just like I told you, it is not far. I have not stopped working. Laurel UNESCO award came after I finished giving my talk in South Africa. They came to me and said, I listened to your talks. It is in my area. Are you a laureate and I said no. They  asked me if I have not been nominated and I said yes. So, months later, I was given the award after my nomination. I am the first Nigerian that got Laurel UNESCO award for Physical Science.

The post It’s exciting that global body named asteroid after me – Okeke, Professor of Physics, UNN appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.