Engr. Mrs. Maduka Joanna was born in Ilesha, Osun State on May 6th, 1941. She had her early education at Queens School, Ede, from where she passed the West African School Certificate in 1959. She gained admission to the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan and passed her Advanced Level Examinations in 1962. Thereafter, she was admitted to the University of Ife where she graduated in Applied Physics with B.Sc. (Hons) 2nd Class Upper Division in 1965.

Engr. Mrs. Maduka passed the Graduateship Examination of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK) in 1966 and earned an M.Sc. (Engineering) degree from Trinity College, Dublin in 1969

She was appointed as a Graduate Apprentice in the Engineering Division of Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, Ibadan (1965-1966); a Lecturer in Applied Physics at University of Ife and later promoted Lecturer, (1966-1970). She joined a firm of consulting Engineers, Leccom Associates in 1970 and became the Principal Partner in 1975.

She founded Friends of the Environment (FOTE) in 1993 with objectives in the areas of renewable energy, waste management and empowerment of women. FOTE is the Nigerian focal point of ENERGIA, an international network of women in sustainable energy based in the Netherlands. FOTE has carried out different activities and research relating to mainstreaming gender in energy issues from 1993 to date.

Engr Mrs. Maduka became the first female COREN Registered Engineer in 1974; first female, Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (FIEE), UK; first female, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers FNSE; Honorary Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Science Technology, 1987, Honorary Fellow, Yaba College of Technology in 1998 and first female Fellow, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.

Engr. Mrs. Maduka has over the years served on several National and International Boards, Governing Councils of tertiary institutions and Committees including but not limited to: Federal Polytechnic, Idah (1980-1984), (1986-1988); Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, (1990-1995), Implementation Committee for the Commercialization of National Electric Power Authority (1989-1990); Gender Renewable Energy Sources and Development Applications (GRESDA), a programme under the United Nations Development Fund for Women  International Network of Women in Science and Technology (INWES).

She is the President of Ijesha Society, a group of eminent sons and daughters of Ijesha land. In 2008, she was conferred with the national honour Member of the Federal Republic, MFR.

SPECIALIZATIONS

• Electrical Power Systems, Building Services Engineering, Design and Supervision