On February 11th, 2025, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) – Women in Chemistry (KaduSna Chapter) proudly hosted the IUPAC Global Women Breakfast Meeting at the David Ejoor Hall, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.

Themed “Accelerating Equity in Science,” the event served as a platform for passionate professionals and advocates dedicated to promoting inclusivity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

The morning was filled with inspiring discussions, impactful speeches, and valuable networking opportunities. A standout moment was the presentation by Mrs. Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, Director of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE).

Her talk, titled “Accelerating Gender Equity in Science Education: Inclusion and Participation of Women and Girls,” resonated deeply with attendees. Mrs. Olugboji-Daramola emphasized the importance of equity in education, referencing the work of Nasir et al., who articulated that equity is “not about offering or producing sameness,” but rather about ensuring that all young people can “live the richest life possible and reach their full academic potential.”

This perspective ignited engaging discussions on dismantling barriers and creating opportunities for women and girls in STEM fields.

During the interactive Q&A session, Mrs. Olugboji-Daramola was asked about effective strategies to inspire girls’ interest in STEM while promoting equity. She highlighted the organization Technovation, which empowers girls, particularly those from underserved communities, to identify local problems and develop technology and AI solutions to address them. This hands-on approach underscores the significance of mentorship, real-world problem-solving, and experiential learning in encouraging more girls to pursue careers in science and technology.

The event was graced by esteemed guest speakers, including: Maj Gen JO Ochai (Commandant NDA) as the Special Guest of Honour- Prof. Adetutu Oluwakemi Aliyu – Chemistry Department, Nigerian Defence Academy- Dr. Patricia Ese Umoru – Coordinator, Women in Chemistry, Kaduna Chapter- Dr. Jamila Bashir Yakasa – Assistant Coordinator, CSN Kaduna Chapter- Emi-Johnson Umoeka – Chairperson, CSN Kaduna ChapterThe IUPAC Global Women

Breakfast Meeting 2025 was a resounding success, fostering a spirit of collaboration and commitment to advancing gender equity in science. We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences from the event in the comments below!

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