LASUED Celebrates Global Women’s Breakfast, Advocates for Structural Empowerment in Science

The College of Science Education (COSED) at Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) joined the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to host the annual Global Women’s Breakfast.

The event, themed "Many Voices, One Science" with a focus on "Women Shaping Science, Leading the Future," served as a high-level advocacy platform to increase female representation in STEM fields across Nigeria.

In her opening remarks, the Dean of COSED and Coordinator of the OWSD LASUED Chapter, Professor Aderonke Margaret Oginni, highlighted the critical cost of gender disparity in research.

“When women are absent from laboratories and leadership tables, science loses essential perspectives and possibilities,” Prof. Oginni stated. She called for a shift from "symbiotic inclusion" to structural empowerment, urging established scientists to mentor young girls and support early-career female researchers to ensure science reflects the diversity of the society it serves.

The event featured distinguished guest speakers who underscored the socio-economic impact of gender balance:

Professor Kafila Yusuf, Director of the Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (CESSED) at LASU, emphasized that supporting women in science is a key driver for unlocking innovation and accelerating economic development.

Dr. Mary Odumosu (representing Dr. Benjamin Morris Ayinde) encouraged mentees to remain goal-oriented, noting that education is the primary tool for shifting cultural barriers in the scientific community.

The gathering also served to acknowledge the trailblazing roles of female Vice-Chancellors in the region, including Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye (LASUED), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello (LASU), and Prof. Folasade Ogunsola (UNILAG).

Goodwill messages from the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Dawodu, and Dr. Osundiya further reinforced the message that gender should never be a barrier to achieving excellence in scientific research and policy-making.