BY PETER DANSU Oyeyipo Maria, the Head Girl of Lagos State Model Senior College, Kankon, Badagry, has made waves on the national stage, eme...
BY PETER DANSU
Oyeyipo Maria, the Head Girl of Lagos State Model Senior College, Kankon, Badagry, has made waves on the national stage, emerging as the 2nd Best Head Girl in Nigeria for her innovative educational project, Mensopoly, during the International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations.
According to her teacher, Mr. Augustine Kiki, who tutors her on the project, the prestigious event, organized by Mixta Africa in collaboration with Asset & Resource Management Company at Silverbird Galleria, brought together women leaders, young innovators, educators, and students under the theme “From Me to We: Balancing Scales Through Transformation.”
Maria’s project, Mensopoly, is an educational game designed to make learning fun and interactive. By blending knowledge with imagination and participation, the game encourages intellectual engagement and offers a fresh approach to modern education. First introduced at a competitive academic event last year, Maria impressed judges with the project’s originality, clarity, and practical application, earning early recognition as a champion in educational creativity. She has since advocated for the adoption of Mensopoly by the National Mathematical Centre and inclusion in the national mathematics curriculum.
At the International Women’s Day conference, Maria presented Mensopoly to a wide audience of professionals, educators, and fellow students, drawing admiration for her creativity and confident delivery. Her presentation highlighted the power of simple yet innovative ideas in shaping effective learning tools, proving that impactful educational solutions do not always require complex technology.
Maria’s achievement reflects the nurturing environment of her school and the dedication of her mentors. Principal Mr. Ayeni Kolawole Ibrahim has fostered a culture of innovation, discipline, and academic excellence, while teachers Mr. Ajose Samuel and Mr. Olowookere Babatunde provided guidance and support that helped Maria shine on such an important platform.
The Lagos State Government and Lagos State Education District V were also recognized for creating enabling policies that allow students to explore their talents, develop leadership skills, and showcase their abilities beyond the classroom.
Maria’s journey – from conceptualizing a learning game to presenting it on a national stage – is a testament to the impact of talent, mentorship, and opportunity. Her story inspires the message that curiosity, support, and determination can propel young innovators to national and even global recognition.
As Maria continues to refine Mensopoly and expand her academic interests, the project holds the potential to become a widely recognized educational tool. Her success at the International Women’s Day 2026 conference signals the emergence of a young leader whose creativity and leadership promise to influence education far beyond the classroom walls.
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