Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, a Nigerian woman, has become the first black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan, United States.

Speaking at the university’s commencement ceremony, Dosunmu-Ogunbi shared that she began her programme without a clear direction for her goals. Nonetheless, she is committed to utilising her expertise in engineering to create a beneficial influence on the world.

She said,

“A Michigan Engineer is one who does not just provide scientific and technological leadership. But is also one who is intellectually curious, socially conscious, creates collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promotes an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good. We each have a solemn duty to make positive contributions to the world. Well, my reasons for becoming an engineer were initially frivolous, but they eventually moved into something more meaningful. I want to have a positive impact on the world.”

Dosunmu-Ogunbi, the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, received recognition for her achievements even before earning her PhD. She was honoured with an MVP award from the University of Illinois’ Pi Tau Sigma chapter. Engaged in community-building within the robotics field, Dosunmu-Ogunbi received the MLK Spirit Award from the College of Engineering for her mentoring efforts and inspirational contributions.

Additionally, she served as an outreach ambassador for robotics for three consecutive years, from 2021 to 2023. Her academic excellence led to her induction into the prestigious Bouchet Society, which celebrates exceptional scholarly accomplishments and advocates for diversity in graduate education and academia.

Currently, Dosunmu-Ogunbi is actively pursuing faculty positions through interviews.

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“We realized that 80% of our soldiers have been involved in this recovery programme, they are getting better. Their outlook on life is positive.”

He added that the visit will aid their recovery “to improve their personal self-esteem to improve their mental health. Their emotional intelligence has been improved and also their families seeing them, as they used to be breadwinners who are capable of continue living. So this engagement with Invictus is giving us the opportunity for the recovery for our soldiers.”

“So, to be specific, now they will be arriving here tomorrow (Friday) and they will be received, and the reception will be quiet because they will be travelling 14 hours to get to this place. They will be taken to the hotel.”

After taking a break at the hotel, the couple will go back and see the Chief of Defence Staff by Friday noon. Prince Harry and his wife will stop by their Wuse Light Academy before meeting Nigeria’s security chief. After that, they’ll head to Kaduna State to visit the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, where injured soldiers are treated.

“On Saturday, we’ll be having like an exhibition of novelty match. The CDS team and the Duke team will be having a volleyball match at armed forces officers’ mess in the morning. And this is just to engage with the wounded and injured soldiers. It’s a sitting volleyball match coming in the morning.

“So after that, we have a programme for them by 01:00 pm. A reception, where they will be interacting with families of wounded and injured soldiers and families of soldiers and officers killed in action and service members generally,” the Director stated.

AVM Marquis announced that on Sunday, the couple will first visit Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to pay their respects. Then, they’ll head to a basketball court in Lagos, where their NGO supports a school. There, a basketball exhibition match will take place.

Additionally, a reception is planned for the couple on Sunday before they return to Abuja to prepare for leaving the country on Monday.

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