As part of the February 11th celebrations for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Inspiring Girls in Science (INGGIS 1.0) event was organized at the International School Lagos (ISL). This initiative was led by Dr. Charlotte Ndiribe, a Plant Phylogenetic Ecologist and Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) Alumnus, in collaboration with Dr. Sogbanmu, an Environmental Toxicologist, and Dr. Joy Odimegwu, a Herbal Medicine Specialist. All three scientists are senior faculty members at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and share a strong commitment to mentoring and empowering young girls in science.
The event, attended by about 100 senior secondary school girls (SS1–SS3), featured two hours of engaging educational activities, designed to inspire, inform, and encourage the next generation of women in STEM.
Here we bring you the highlights of the event:
🔬 Personal Journeys in Science – Each scientist shared her experiences, challenges, and achievements, providing real-life role models for the students. Dr. Odimegwu spoke passionately about her cancer drug research using bioactive African medicinal plants, emphasizing how science can address societal issues. Dr. Sogbanmu highlighted how many Nigerian women scientists start young and excel, encouraging the girls to stay focused on their goals despite any challenges.
🌍 Women Who Changed the World – Dr. Ndiribe engaged the students in a discussion about renowned women scientists, particularly Marie Curie, testing their knowledge and rewarding correct answers.
🎤 Interactive Q&A Session – Students had the opportunity to voice their most pressing questions about careers in science and receive guidance from the speakers.
🚀 Career Development (CD) Team Activity – A brainstorming session encouraged students to exchange ideas on how to start planning for their future in STEM, reinforcing the importance of goal-setting and mentorship.
🏆 Recognizing Excellence – The most engaged and inspired students were recognized as “Most Inspired Girls (MIG)” and received best-selling inspirational books as prizes. All participants received notepads, pens, and refreshments as tokens of encouragement.
📸 Closing & Media Coverage – The session ended with students expressing their gratitude, chatting with the speakers, and taking group photographs. The ISL management was applauded for its commitment to supporting young women in science, and the event received media coverage from Unilag Radio.
The INGGIS 1.0 event left a lasting impact, sparking enthusiasm for science and empowering young girls to dream big and pursue careers in STEM.
