A retired Nigerian Army General, Dr. Ola Orisamolade, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics at the age of 72, describing the achievement as the fulfillment of a lifelong passion for the subject.
In an interview with The Cabal on Tuesday in Ilorin, Orisamolade shared that his interest in mathematics began as a child in primary school and remained a constant drive throughout his personal and professional life.
“After completing my primary and secondary education, I proceeded to the University of Lagos to study Mathematics. I later joined the Nigerian Army in 1975,” he recalled.
Orisamolade rose through the ranks to become a General before retiring in 2010. After military service, he returned to academia, completing a Master’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Lagos in 2017. His passion, he said, continued to push him forward until he enrolled in a PhD programme at the University of Ilorin.
“The passion I have for mathematics pushed me further… and here I am today, successfully achieving my goal,” he said.
Orisamolade, a native of Ondo Town in Ondo State, recently defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Ilorin. His academic journey, especially at an advanced age, has been widely lauded by university officials and scholars.
The Dean of the Postgraduate School, Prof. Bamidele Owoyele, praised the septuagenarian’s determination, describing his accomplishment as a reflection of the university’s inclusive academic environment.
His thesis supervisor, Prof. Kamilu Rauf, called the achievement remarkable, highlighting Orisamolade’s resilience, focus, and ability to overcome personal loss—including the death of his wife—during the course of his study.
“Dr. Orisamolade’s achievement is a powerful reminder that age should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams,” Rauf said. “His story is a source of inspiration to many.”
The University of Ilorin, which prides itself on fostering academic excellence and lifelong learning, has produced more than 15,000 PhD graduates in the past 15 years.
