Meet Esther
At just 6 years old, Nigerian-born math genius Esther Okade, living in Walsall, West Midlands, stunned everyone by passing GCSE exams, a feat usually reserved for 14-16-year-olds. But this was just the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
By the age of 7, Esther had set her sights on attending university, repeatedly telling her mother, Efe, “Mum, when am I starting university?” Though hesitant at first, Efe supported her daughter’s dream.
At 10 years old, in 2015, Esther achieved her goal, becoming one of the UK’s youngest university students. She enrolled in a mathematics degree with the Open University, an incredible achievement that required passing a phone interview, writing an essay, and excelling in a math exam.
Within just three weeks of starting the course, Esther was already excelling, scoring 100% on her first test and impressing her professors. Her mother recalls, “She was flying when she found out she was accepted. She has been dreaming about this moment since she was 7.”
Esther’s ambition didn’t stop there—she envisioned running her own bank and aspired to become a millionaire, driven by her fascination with finance.
At 10, Esther also became the author of a children’s mathematics workbook series titled ‘Yummy Yummy Algebra.’ “It starts at a beginner level. As long as you can add or subtract, you’ll be able to do it,” she explained, hoping to inspire other children to see the beauty in mathematics.
By the age of 15, Esther had taken her love for numbers even further, embarking on a PhD in Financial Mathematics, solidifying her status as a global role model for young learners.
Remarkably, talent seems to run in the family. Esther’s younger brother, Isaiah, began studying A-level mathematics at just 6 years old, with Esther already teaching him advanced concepts like calculus and algebra. “Even when he was in my tummy, Esther was already teaching him,” their mother shared with a smile.
Efe fondly recalls the challenges of navigating the university application process for such a young student. “We even had to talk to the Vice-Chancellor,” she said. “But once they interviewed her, they realized it had been her idea all along.”
Esther’s story continues to inspire children worldwide, proving that no dream is too big or too early to pursue. “I want to show other children they are special,” Esther concluded.
What an extraordinary young mind—and one the world will surely hear much more from in the future.
