From Nigeria to Brum: a Black mathematician's journey

Hi, I’m Seun and I’m a postgraduate researcher in Applied Mathematics at the University of Birmingham.

What Black History Month Means to me

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the invaluable achievements of Black individuals, to educate society about Black history and culture and to recognise their overlooked contributions to British society. It invites deep reflection and acknowledgement of the pain and struggle that others have had to endure to reach this moment in time. It is about standing firm in power and pride. More importantly, the Black History month serves as a stepping stone towards a future where we no longer need a designated month for recognition, as Black history and its beauty are celebrate and represented throughout the year across the globe.

Reflecting on my Journey

From a very young age, I have always loved mathematics. Even during times in my life when I wasn’t performing well academically, mathematics was a subject that stood out.

As I approached the end of my schooling days in Nigeria, I had chosen to study Mathematics as my first degree at the University of Birmingham, which was seen as controversial by many, including friends, mentors, teachers and even family, for various reasons. A major reason why is because it is not usual for a Black individual to pursue a degree in Mathematics. The only people who supported my decision was my mum and my guardian. At the time it was a heavy blow ot my confidence in my dreams and aspirations, especially because the maths teachers I idolised weren’t necessarily in support of my decision either. Nevertheless, I went ahead with it, partly out of my stubborn nature but more importantly, because of my deep love for mathematics.

I remember attending my first lecture and being able to count the number of Black individuals on one hand out of about two hundred attendees in the room. From that moment on, I questioned my sense of belonging. Had I made the wrong decision? Six years into my mathematics success story, I can definitively say it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

The desire to acquire knowledge and excel intellectually does not discriminate. In life, you must choose to pursue what you love despite society’s discriminatory actions and ideologies. The journey is never easy, but with the right support network and inspirational figures to empower us, we can make our dreams and aspirations more achievable.

My Inspirational Figure

Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE, a Jamaican-born British mathematician faced the typical racial stereotypes of Black individuals in the view of their inability to excel in mathematics. Despite the societal challenges, he has gone on to be President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications in the UK. He has been quoted in the Encyclopaedia of Mathematics and Society for his mathematical modelling work for industrial partners. He was awarded an OBE in 2022 for his services in his field and has repeatedly been featured in the 100 most influential British people from African and African Caribbean heritage ‘Powerlist’. Additionally, he actively campaigns for greater diversity within the mathematical sciences community.

Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE and many others before him have show that mathematics if for everyone. His success story serves as a constant reminder of the importance of pursuing happiness and doing what you love. For me, that passion is solving real-world problems using mathematics.

Do you have a Black figure who inspires or empowers you?