AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Newcastle City Council, United Kingdom has recognized two distinguished African women—Prof. Esther Titilayo Akinlabi from Nigeria and the late Dr. Irene Ighodaro from Sierra Leone—alongside other remarkable women in Newcastle for their outstanding achievements in various fields.
The council compiled a publication featuring nearly 150 women nominated by the public for their exceptional contributions. These women, with their inspiring stories, have made significant impacts in their respective domains.
Honouring Prof. Esther Akinlabi
Prof. Esther Akinlabi, a seasoned Mechanical Engineer, currently serves as the Deputy Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Northumbria University’s Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Newcastle. She was formerly the Director of the African Union Commission – Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI) in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Coming from a humble background in Nigeria, Prof. Akinlabi broke barriers and rose through the academic ranks through determination and excellence. She earned her first degree from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria in 1997, followed by a Master’s degree from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2003 and a PhD from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, now Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in 2010. She also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018.
During her tenure at the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, she served as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science and later as Vice Dean for Teaching and Learning. Her research in advanced manufacturing processes, particularly friction stir welding and additive manufacturing, earned her recognition as a National Research Foundation-rated researcher in South Africa.
Prof. Akinlabi is a Fellow of the African Academy of Science (FAAS) and the Nigerian Academy of Science ( FAS), as well as a registered member of multiple professional organizations, Registered
Professional Engineer in South Africa (Pr. Eng. SA), Registered Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom (C. Eng. UK). Other professional memberships include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers, (COREN), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). Her mentorship has guided over 42 PhD students, and her contributions include four patents, four edited books, seven co-authored books, and numerous peer-reviewed publications.
Prof. Akinlabi is a well sought after speaker who shares key insights on academic success, including grant writing, research output, networking and collaboration. She is widely regarded as a source of inspiration for many Africans in academia.
Her leadership has been instrumental in encouraging female participation in STEM fields. Speaking with Prof. Akinlabi, she dedicates her nomination to all women striving to inspire those around them.
Remembering Dr. Irene Ighodaro
The late Dr. Irene Ighodaro, a trailblazer in medicine, was posthumously honored for her groundbreaking achievements. She was the first Sierra Leonean woman to qualify as a medical doctor and the first West African-born female doctor in Britain in 1944.
Dr. Ighodaro trained at Newcastle Medical School from 1938 to 1944 and worked at Newcastle Victoria Infirmary, where she treated injured soldiers during World War II. She also served as a general practitioner in West Denton, Newcastle, challenging gender and racial stereotypes.
A champion of African cultural identity and advancement, she co-founded the Newcastle-based Society for the Cultural Advancement of Africa in 1940, strengthening ties between African professionals in Newcastle and West Africa. She also collaborated with the BBC World Service to highlight the successes of Africans in England and encourage diaspora support for wartime efforts.
In 1946, she founded the first West African Women’s Association in England and played an active role in organizations such as the League of Coloured Peoples and the West African Student Union, advocating for social welfare, education, and healthcare in Africa.
Dr. Ighodaro was the first President of the National Council of Women’s Societies in Nigeria and the Nigerian Association of University Women. She played a pivotal role in establishing Nigeria’s first teaching hospital in Benin and was later appointed Chair of its Board—the highest-ranking position held by a woman at the time. Her leadership extended globally as Vice-President of the Worldwide YWCA and President of its Nigerian branch. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded an MBE in 1958.
Newcastle City Council’s Commitment to Gender Equality
In its International Women’s Day publication, Newcastle City Council expressed pride in celebrating the achievements of women and reinforcing its commitment to gender equality. The 2025 theme set by the United Nations calls for actions that unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all.
The council highlighted its efforts in making Newcastle a Real Living Wage City, a move aimed at addressing economic disparities, particularly affecting women, who hold 60% of lower-paid jobs. Over 100 local businesses have registered as Living Wage Employers, and the council aims to expand this initiative further.
Recognizing that women continue to contribute significant unpaid labor in caregiving roles and face wage gaps, the council emphasized the need for collective action to promote fair wages, secure employment, and inclusive workplace cultures.
“International Women’s Day reminds us of the progress made, but also the challenges ahead,” the council stated. “By working together, we can ensure a future where equality, opportunity, and empowerment are available to all.”
The council extended gratitude to all those who nominated the inspirational women featured in the publication and acknowledged the remarkable stories of those who preferred to remain anonymous.
This recognition of women’s contributions serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of continued advocacy for gender equality, both in Newcastle and beyond.
