A Nigerian Muslim lady, Hajiah Aishat Mojisola Akere (Nee Lawal) has bagged a doctorate degree in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University College, London (UCL).
Dr. Akere-Lawal who attended the course on a very competitive presidential scholarship said she was very happy and felt accomplished on the feat.
The hijab-wearing Muslimah had earlier finished with a first class degree at her BSc level from the University of Ibadan (UI), adding many other certifications to her name including a PGDE, and two MSc degrees.
Speaking exclusively with Muslim News from her base in the UK, Dr. Akere-Lawal said, “By the mercy of Allah, I was officially awarded a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University College London (UCL) on the 10th of March 2022. Although, I officially completed my PhD in March 2020, the in-person graduation could not hold due to the pandemic.”
Speaking on her research focus, she said, “My speciality is in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. My thesis, titled ‘Structural and Biochemical Studies of Arabidopsis Thaliana Glycosyltransferases’ focused on the studies that could lead to the use of plant enzymes as potential drug candidates.” Detailed findings from her thesis can be found HERE.
Sharing her London experience as an hijab-wearing Muslim lady from Nigeria, the PhD scholar said the city has been largely great and diverse with a good Muslim community.
“Though I had experienced discrimination over the hijab in very few instances, it is not in any way compared to the huge discrimination I experienced at home in Nigeria as an hijabi. People tend to be generally respectful of beliefs here even when they do not agree with you,” she added.
Her head is covered, not her brain!
A Nigerian #Muslim lady, Aishat Akere-Lawal has bagged PhD in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University College, London (UCL). She had earlier finished with a first class during her BSc from #UI with two MSc degrees. #Hijab pic.twitter.com/BJMUEu8RS4
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) March 22, 2022
Dr. Akere-Lawal had her primary education at Barakaat Nursery and Primary School, New Bodija Ibadan. Her secondary education was at Saint Loius Grammar School, Mokola Ibadan, after which she proceeded to the University of Ibadan to study Botany, bagging the most-coveted first class in 2010.
According to her, “During my undergraduate days, I was also a student of Arabic at the Arabic School of Civilisation (Ath-Thaqafi), Ibadan under Ustadh Rasheed Mudathir. During my service year, I obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from the National Teachers Institute (NTI).
“After my youth service, I began my Masters programme at the Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin before I moved to the United Kingdom in 2014. I got admission into the University College, London where I obtained a Master’s degree in Pharmacognosy (2015) and PhD in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (2020) both at her School of Pharmacy.”
She is the daughter of late Alhaji Ahmed Lawal and Alhaja O.M Lawal (a seasoned educationist and retired school principal).
Never tired in the quest of knowledge, the Muslim woman is currently studying Islamic Studies at the Knowledge International University (KIU), while working at Science Research and Publishing with the Public Library of Science (PLOS), San Francisco, UK Office.
