Some journeys begin with a plan. Others begin with a prayer.
For Deborah Funmilayo Adekoya, a brilliant and passionate mathematician from Nigeria, the path into the mathematical sciences was neither accidental nor ordinary, it was a story shaped by faith, curiosity and a deep love for learning. Today, Deborah is a student at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana, confidently walking a path she believes was divinely orchestrated.
Before AIMS Ghana, Deborah served as a Corper under Nigeria’s National Service scheme, where she worked as a tutor in mathematics and data analysis. Teaching others sharpened her skills, but her own journey with mathematics began much earlier; long before she even knew she would study it at university. At several crossroads in her life, Deborah sought God’s guidance, asking for clarity about her future. When she eventually registered for her university qualifying exams, mathematics was not part of the plan. Yet, step by step, it became her calling. Looking back, she now sees her journey into mathematics as a clear answer to prayer.
Her early encounters with the subject were anything but intimidating. Inspiring primary school teachers made mathematics joyful and encouraged her to think deeply rather than rush to answers. In secondary school, exceptional teachers challenged her further, awakening a drive to improve and a fascination with the elegance, logic and universality of mathematics. What truly captivated her was its power to shape the world.
“Knowing that many technological advancements are built on mathematical structures makes me want to learn how to do the same,” she shares.
At AIMS Ghana, Deborah describes the environment as vibrant, intense and deeply rewarding. The experience has transformed not just how she approaches mathematics, but how she approaches life.
“I used to think mathematics was about solving equations and getting answers,” she reflects. “Now I understand that it’s more about thinking, reasoning and truly understanding problems. This mindset goes beyond mathematics and I plan to apply it to other areas of my life.”
The courses at AIMS Ghana have been exciting, surprising and intellectually demanding. One course that stood out for Deborah was Probability and Statistics with R. Although she loved data analysis, she had never fully grasped the statistical foundations behind it. To her, this course brought clarity and confidence, deepened by the dedication of Dr. Richard Minkah, whose commitment to ensuring students truly understood the material left a lasting impression.
Looking ahead, Deborah hopes to transition into industry, where she can apply her mathematical training to solve real-world problems. Her ultimate goal is simple yet powerful: to be a problem solver. She is also passionate about changing the widespread perception of mathematics as a frightening or overly complex subject.
As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, giving back is central to Deborah’s mission. Together with her fellow scholars, she plans to engage in community-based projects that blend mathematics with humanitarian impact. “From visiting junior and senior high schools to mentoring students on the importance of mathematics and guiding them in making informed academic choices, I am committed to ensuring that more young people see mathematics not as a barrier; but as a bridge to opportunity.”
Deborah Funmilayo Adekoya’s story is a reminder that mathematics is more than numbers and equations. It is a way of thinking, a tool for transformation and sometimes; the answer to a prayer.
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