10-year-old Nigerian girl Esther Okade accepted in UK University to study maths

Nigerian girl Esther Okade has been accepted to start her university degree at the tender age of ten.

The Walsall youngster is dividing her time between playing with her dolls and studying for an Open University maths degree.

But it should add up to success for numbers whizz Esther who became an undergraduate three weeks ago.

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And her little brother Isiah may potentially follow her – for he is studying for A-level maths at the age of six.

Esther’s mother, Efe, who home schools her, said: “She is doing so well.

“She took a test recently and scored 100 per cent.”

Esther completed months of tests and interviews before being accepted on to the course. Her aim is to get a First Class honours degree in two years and then set her sights on a PHD.

And eventually Esther, who loves watching Disney hit Frozen when she’s not studying, wants to run her own bank.

Efe said applying to the university was “an interesting process because of her age.”

She said: “We even had to talk to the Vice Chancellor.

“After they interviewed her they realised that this has been her idea from the beginning.

“From the age of seven Esther has wanted to go to university.

“But I was afraid it was too soon.

“She would say, ‘Mum, when am I starting?’, and go on and on and on.

“Finally, after three years she told me, ‘Mum I think it is about time I started university now.”

Esther applied in August, and after a phone interview, an essay and a maths exam, she finally got the news in December that she had been accepted onto the course.

“She was flying,” said Efe. “She was so happy.”

“She is doing so well. She took a test recently and scored 100 per cent.

“Esther talks about running her own bank one day,” added Efe. “She has a lot of plans, and talks a lot about finances.

“She says she wants to be a millionaire.

“Isiah is following in his sister’s footsteps. He is doing Calculus and advanced algebra.

“Even when he was in my tummy Esther was already teaching him.”

In 1981 Ruth Lawrence, from Brighton, became the youngest person to pass the Oxford exam at 10 years old.

She graduated in 1985 at the age of 13 with a first class degree in Mathematics.

“We had heard about Ruth, but we felt that it would be better for Esther to do her course at home.

“Perhaps when she turns 18 she can go to university with her peers and get the most out of it.

“But for now we want her to enjoy her childhood as well as her maths.”

[Birminghammail]