From being best graduating student of her Department during undergraduate, to University scholar, a Reverend Sister who recently convoked for Doctor of Philosophy, PhD at the 77th Foundation Day/Convocation Ceremony at the University of Ibadan narrated who drives to attain Doctorate Degree in an interview with FRESHPAGE correspondent, Muhammed Ayobami.
Can I meet you?
I’m Rev. Sr. Dr. Carine Okeh, one of the 487 graduands of the University of Ibadan at its awards of Doctor of Philosophy at the 2025 Convocation Ceremony. I hail from Ihitte/Uboma LGA, Imo State.
What inspired you, as a Reverend Sister, to pursue a PhD?
Education is the bedrock of development. My passion to make informed decisions in the education sector motivates me to push the frontier of knowledge to the peak of an academic degree. As a Reverend Sister and now PhD holder, I believe my determination to help humanity and drive personal growth will be easier as a problem-solver, innovator and policy maker.
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Why did you choose to pursue your PhD in Education rather than Religion?
Thank you for the question. As a Reverend Sister, I’ve mastered the itinerary of what my religion demands, it becomes expedient for me to balance life with religion by using the knowledge garnered over the years from undergraduate to my current academic status to achieve efficient and effective educational systems in Catholic Secondary Schools across Nigeria.
Can you share your academic journey from your first degree to your current achievement?
Thank you once again for the question. I gained admission into the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, in 2012. I completed my first degree in Educational Management/Political Science with a First Class Honours. I won the best graduating student of the Department of Educational Management in 2016. University of Ibadan awarded me a scholarship for my Master’s Degree, the gesture I cherished, which exposed me to academic rigour. As a scholar of the University, I was appointed as Teaching Assistant in the Department of Educational Management. I completed my Master’s Degree with PhD grade in Educational Systems Administration in 2019. Without wasting time,
I proceeded for my doctoral programme in 2020/2021 where I specialized in Educational Systems Administration. I researched on “Leadership Styles and Managerial Skills of Catholic Female Religious, And Administrative Effectiveness of Catholic Secondary Schools in the South-West, Nigeria”. My Thesis took me round the entire South-West region to gain valuable insights about the operation of the Catholic Secondary Schools.
After scaling through the hurdles of both internal and external assessors, I’m grateful to my Supervisor, Prof. Benedict Emunemu and all lecturers in the Department for their sincere guidance throughout the programme.
I was conferred with the award of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management on 17th November, 2025 at the 77th Foundation Day and Convocation Ceremony of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
What challenges have you faced so far?
Challenges were enormous, the noticeable one was balancing work and life, juggling responsibilities, relationships, and self-care.
How were you able to overcome these challenges?
I set my goals and pursue them with strong determination, commitment, resilience, hard work and prayer. Building a support network with colleagues, mentors and family play vital roles in overcoming my challenges throughout the graduate school.
What are your future goals, and how do you plan to utilize the knowledge you’ve gained over the years?
My future goals are in batches; from being a good tutor, researcher proffering solutions to multidimensional problems in Education, especially the ones with Catholic Secondary Schools across the country. Another future goal is intend to achieve is how to come up with policies that will drive smooth administration in schools and lastly to serve humanity.
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To utilize the knowledge, I look forward to contribute to the education system especially through address of pressing issues and solve problems. Shape young minds and guide them in their academic journeys and life respectively.
What advice would you offer to upcoming sisters in the convent?
My sincere advice is pray and always trust in God. Set a goal, be focused and serve the community with your knowledge and expertise.
