The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named Asteroid 149831 ‘Okeke’ after renowned Nigerian physicist Professor Francisca Nneka Okeke, honoring her groundbreaking contributions to atmospheric physics and her trailblazing role in academia.

Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, USA, the asteroid will permanently carry Prof. Okeke’s name, placing her among a select group of scientists worldwide recognised in this extraordinary way.

Professor Okeke, a trailblazing physicist from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has dedicated her career to research in ionospheric geophysics and the equatorial electrojet, advancing global understanding of space weather, atmospheric dynamics, and climate science. Born in Idemili North, Anambra, with a BSC in Physics (1985), MSC in Science Education (and a PHD in Ionospheric Geophysics (1995), her career is marked by historic first: She is the first female Professor of Physics in Eastern Nigeria, the first woman to head UNN’s Department of Physics & Astronomy (2003–2006), and the first female Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences (2008–2010).

Beyond research, Prof. Okeke is celebrated for mentoring and inspiring countless young scientists, particularly women, in a region where female representation in STEM remains limited. Her recognition underscores both her personal impact and the importance of women’s inclusion in scientific advancement. Her findings have helped scientists understand how solar activity influences the Earth’s magnetic field with implications for climate change, space weather, and even natural disaster prediction.
In 2013, she won the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award for Africa and the Arab states, which made her among the world’s leading female scientists. She was also listed among the Top 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine in 2013.

Aside from being a global icon, she is also a wife to Prof. Pius Nwankwo Okeke, who is referred to as the Father of Astronomy in Nigeria, publishing a wide range of used physics textbooks in Nigeria.

A Lasting Legacy
The naming of Asteroid 149831 Okeke marks a symbolic achievement for Nigeria, highlighting its growing presence in global scientific discourse. It is both a celebration of Prof. Okeke’s lifelong dedication and a call to expand support for women scientists across Africa.

By Rosemary Obiasogu

Abuja Nigeria.