By Peter Dansu It was a moment of pride and celebration in Badagry as Oyeyipo Maria Fiyinfoluwa, the Head Girl of Lagos State Model Senior ...
It was a moment of pride and celebration in Badagry as Oyeyipo Maria Fiyinfoluwa, the Head Girl of Lagos State Model Senior College, Kankon, emerged as the Second Best National Head Girl in Nigeria at the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) National Head Girl Competition.
The remarkable achievement was announced by her class teacher, Mr. Augustine Kiki, who could not hide his excitement while sharing the news on Facebook.
According to Mr. Kiki, the keenly contested national event took place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, where head girls from 19 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, showcased their creativity and leadership prowess.
As part of the competition requirements, participants were asked to create and design a unique project capable of addressing a pressing problem in Nigeria. Guided by her Mathematics teachers, Mr. Adewale Ajose and Mr. Babatunde Olowookere, Maria designed an innovative educational board game called “MENSOPOLY.”
The name combines “Menso”—from Mensuration, a branch of Mathematics—with “Poly”—inspired by the popular game Monopoly. The goal of the game is to make learning Mathematics more enjoyable and engaging for students.
“Many students are afraid of Mathematics, yet they love games. Maria’s idea was to merge both—to help students learn and love Mathematics through play,” Mr. Kiki explained.
Her innovation stood out among entries from across the country, propelling her into the final stage, which featured five finalists representing Lagos (two schools), FCT, Anambra, and Niger States.
At the grand finale, Maria confidently defended her project before a panel of judges, convincingly demonstrating how her game could revolutionize Mathematics learning in schools. She even recommended that the National Mathematical Centre consider adopting MENSOPOLY as part of the national Mathematics curriculum.
Impressed by her creativity and presentation, all three judges passed a vote of confidence on Maria and her project.
The highlight of the event was the announcement of winners, where Maria was declared the 2nd Best Head Girl in Nigeria, winning a ₦750,000 cash prize, while the overall winner from Anambra State received ₦1 million.
Expressing his joy, Mr. Kiki wrote,
“I feel great, proud, and elated. Maria’s victory is a monumental feat that makes me, her Maths teachers, her parents, our school, and Lagos State proud. I challenged her from SS2 to aim higher, and today, she has made history.”
He also appreciated the school’s principal, Mr. Kolawole Ayeni, for fostering an environment that encourages academic excellence, while commending Maria’s mentors for their dedication and guidance.
Maria’s success has not only placed Lagos State Model College, Kankon, on the national map but has also inspired many students across Nigeria to believe that learning can be both fun and transformative.
Mr. Kiki concluded with optimism, saying,
“I look forward to celebrating Maria as a National Champion soon.”
No comments