Meet amazing 10 year-old Maths whizz who is doing a degree despite NEVER going to school

A maths whizz has started a degree in maths - at just 10 years old.

Picture of Esther OkadeBPM MEDIA

Esther Okade, 10, is starting a maths degree

Esther Okade, of Walsall, West Midlands, is taking the Open University course, despite never having been to school.

Esther and her brother Isiah, six, are taught at home by their mother Omonefe, who has turned the living room of their terraced home into a classroom. 

Mrs Okade, 37, said it had been 'interesting' trying to get her daughter onto a degree course – and the youngster had wanted to go from the age of just SEVEN. 

The mathematician and electrical engineer said: "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.

"She was flying when she got accepted. She was so happy.

"Esther talks about running her own bank one day. She has a lot of plans, and talks a lot about finances."

Esther Okade and her mother OmonefeBPM MEDIA

Esther Okade and her mother Omonefe

Every child is a genius. It is all just finding out the best way for each child to learn.

Omonefe Okede

Esther, who got a B for A-level pure maths three months ago, got a C in GCSE maths when she was just six.

However, her mother said Esther was 'a normal little girl'.

She said: "She loves Barbie and princesses and making loom bands.

"Every child is a genius. It is all just finding out the best way for each child to learn."

Her father, Paul, a 41-year-old managing director, also spoke of his pride in his daughter's achievements.

He said: "The desire of every parent is to see their children exceed them, and take the family name to great heights, and my children have done just that.

Picture of Esther and Isiah OkadeBPM MEDIA

Esther and Isiah Okade

Now her brother is set to follow in her footsteps.

Isiah is already studying for his A-level maths.

Mrs Okade said: "Even when he was in my tummy,  Esther was already teaching him."

Esther's story has echoes of Ruth Lawrence, who became the youngest person to graduate from Oxford University when she got a degree in Mathematics aged 13 in 1985.

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