"I became a laureate of the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science because of my significant contributions to the understanding of the daily variation of ion current in the upper atmosphere, which may further our understanding of climate change. The award placed Nigeria on the world map of honours in science. Okeke speaking on the impact of her work"

"My childhood curiosity is the key to my remarkable achievements and my passion for science."

"Women should be encouraged to fully participate in the development of STEM, and take key positions in science matters in government as it will ensure the implementation of strategies for improving the participation of women in the development of science."

""When I started, there used to be only two ladies in the Physics department. But while I was the head, I was instrumental to the employment of three other female staff. While I was the Dean, my priority was employing women who are qualified in the faculty, in Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Statistics and Computer Science. Now we are many women in the faculty of Physical Sciences.”"

"As a little girl, I was fascinated by the sky; why it appears white at times and blue at other times. I wondered why airplanes could fly and found my vocation when I learned physics could answer my questions.""

"People confronted me with a series of questions. They would ask me:"Do you think you can make it on this seat". Okeke speaking on the challenges she faced as the first female dean."

"Lead as a model, by example. Leading women scientists must develop a leadership style that will be highly prized."

"I call on the private and public sectors to support the programme in any way they can."

"The MCIU scholarship for agricultural science programme is an opportunity."

"This is an example of how universities can be a solution in a country that abounds with needs and talents."

"Through this approach, students will actively participate in fieldwork, agricultural projects and internships that expose them to modern farming techniques and innovative agricultural practices."

"This ensures students gain hands on, practical experience alongside theoretical learning."

"As individuals, we need to cultivate better habits that promote clean air and environment."

"As women in science, we need to work to bridge this gap and come up with recommendations from this conference that will translate into policy to support the recruitment and retention of women and girls in science."

"I therefore urge you to work hard and avoid any act that is not in conformity with the university’s rules and regulations as well as societal norms, because anyone found guilty shall be made to face the wrath of the law"

"You should note that FUGA is not a dumping ground for admission seekers but a place where all students would be judged based on the quality of our programmes and their performance"

"We ought to examine our own uniqueness, location, custom and the people and adopt an educational system that will take into account the uniqueness."

"I generally think of my work in terms of innovation and problem-solving. What can we do differently? How can we use or reinterpret what is already known to solve another problem? My philosophy is to explain how chemistry permeates the world around us. That’s always been my motivation – to take chemistry beyond the classroom, to show that chemistry is not confined to a lab or as is commonly portrayed in the popular culture in terms of toxicity and that it offers solutions that permeate our everyday lives."

"In the 21st century, we face enormous economic, social, and technological challenges as articulated in the UN Sustainable Development Goals: the need to achieve zero hunger, clean water, affordable and clean energy, healthcare, and economic development. Innovation and commitment to problem-solving will be the key to addressing these challenges- that requires that we continually engage the next generation to achieve the solutions to these challenges."

"I develop sensors and technologies and look for creative solutions to problems."

"It’s something that’s low cost and famers in developing countries can take and use,” she said. “So for example, if a farmer grows yams, which is common in developing countries in Asia and Africa, and Nigeria is one of the largest producers, it’s important agriculturally. That’s why we decided to focus on this."

"We changed the name to better describe the direction we’re moving to for sustainable development."

"If your people pick you out and give you that kind of recognition, it’s satisfying. I’m ecstatic and also humbled."

"In the area of agriculture and solid minerals, we look at manufacturing, services, entertainment and all these are viable areas to expand them."

"Knowing the caliber of people who have received the award and that I’m considered on that level is phenomenal."

"I am the first chemist and the first female scientist to receive the honor, who was contacted and asked to submit an application for the award."

"I do not expect any woman or young girl to complain of not being given an opportunity because there are a lot of opportunities out there for all young girls and women in the world as we speak; all we need to do is to find opportunities and grab them."

"Our students and researchers stand to gain from exposure to diverse networks and knowledge systems. This kind of cooperation supports not only innovation but also the institutional growth of our universities."

"The funding is not just on UNILAG, of course, the Lagos State government is supporting. We have reached out to partners, industries, companies and a whole lot of other people to support us."

"Yes, I have been in the system, we do not have funding, but have done a lot of things by improving what we do with collaborations with other universities outside the country. They appreciate us more than Nigerians."

"In Lagos, because of the difficulties, we have taken it as a responsibility to try, but we can only do with what we have. Building hostels is not cheap. Right now, we are renovating the old hostels to make them more livable, though it is a very expensive venture."

"What I have found with University of Lagos is that we have been lucky. We have heard progressive vice chancellors. So, every vice chancellor has put something down that allows one to grow. We developed a 25-year strategic plan in 2014 and we are working through that strategic plan where every vice chancellor builds on what we have."

"Don’t get into seeing money as the only benefit to being involved in project, think of the experience and the skills that you are getting; it is worth more than money because they are investing in your knowledge base."

"If you don’t think you’re valuable enough to take yourself to a conference with your salary, why should someone else invest in you? We sometimes think that the valuable things are the tangible assets when in fact, it is the intangible things—your knowledge and skills which are the outcome of your personal self-investments—that are important."

"It is in service to others that you get elevated or you achieve your dreams"

"started off my life as a really shy person. I always sort of pulled back from a lot of things not because I didn’t want to do them but because I was shy, even till university. There are so many examples I can give"

"I then realized that what was important was the quality of the time spent. You need to know what people need at the time they need it. These are some of the lessons I learned from that period."

"There’s Value in the Valley”. One thing (out of the many lessons in the book) that stuck in my head was “nobody is after you”. People are going about their day; they’re not even noticing you"

"It required that we had a strong central coordinating centre and that we engaged the community early, used media effectively, and sent out short easily-understood messages."

"The art is part of our vision; it is an expression of who we are."

"Corruption thrives where there is lack of excellence. But we are not different from other countries."

"The fourth industrial revolution is here upon the world but that Nigeria has been lagging."

"The leaders of communities are chosen from their citizens and our leaders are, therefore, a reflection of who we are as a people."

"Nigeria Universities needs to develop the courses around sports like sports medicine, that is the next step for us. I am hoping that we will be able to interest some corporate organisations to have a sports academy because I think we have everything that it takes."

"If Nigeria’s university system will be returned to its rightful place as the lighthouse that inspires development aspirations, university managers and all concerned must begin to think anew and walk the talk. The ultimate goal is to enrich and enhance the quality of students to make them more intellectually nimble, competent, not only for national development, but to shape the future."

"Fundamentally, preparedness builds on a system that’s working."

"We are very innovative, we are very creative, and we are very entrepreneurs."

"As pharmacy professionals, we are responsible for striving for excellence in all we do and thus blazing the trail"

"A person who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after"

"I recall how I narrowly escaped it in 100 Level at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). We already knew about it before I entered the university but I had to run for my dear life when I discovered that two lecturers taking Physics and Chemistry had focused on me. I recall at a time one of my close friends had a problem too that we had to go as a group of students to beg the lecturer to release her."