Nigerian Woman Becomes First African to Earn PhD in Robotics

Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, a Nigerian woman, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics at the University of Michigan in the United States (US).

During her address at the university’s College of Engineering convocation, Dosunmu-Ogunbi appreciated her supporters in realizing her aspirations, acknowledging the role of teachers, friends, family, mentors, and role models in her journey.

She aspired to be remembered as a pioneer in Robotics at the University of Michigan and hoped to utilize her engineering knowledge to positively impact society.

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Dosunmu-Ogunbi stressed the importance of intellectual curiosity, social consciousness, and collaborative problem-solving in her field, highlighting the need for engineers to promote inclusivity and innovation for the greater good.

Her journey, as described on the University of Michigan Robotics Department website, reflected the experiences of many PhD students who initially lacked a clear vision but eventually find opportunities to apply their knowledge for the betterment of society.

Dosunmu-Ogunbi has been recognized for her community-building efforts in robotics, earning awards for mentoring and inspiration, and is currently exploring faculty positions.