Badagry school Head girl achieves 2nd place in Nigeria with innovative project “Mensopoly”

Oyeyipo Maria, the Head Girl of Lagos State Model Senior College in Kankon, Badagry, has gained national recognition by being named the 2nd Best Head Girl in Nigeria for her groundbreaking educational project, Mensopoly, during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations.

Her teacher, Mr. Augustine Kiki, who oversees her work on the project, noted that the distinguished event, co-hosted by Mixta Africa and Asset & Resource Management Company at Silverbird Galleria, brought together women leaders, innovators, educators, and students under the theme “From Me to We: Balancing Scales Through Transformation.”

Maria’s Mensopoly is an engaging educational game aimed at making learning enjoyable and interactive. The game merges knowledge with creativity and participation, fostering intellectual involvement while offering a novel approach to education.

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First presented at a competitive academic event last year, Maria captured the judges’ attention with the project’s originality, clarity, and practical application, earning recognition as a champion of educational creativity. She is now advocating for Mensopoly to be incorporated into the curriculum by the National Mathematical Centre.

During the International Women’s Day conference, Maria showcased Mensopoly to an audience of professionals, educators, and peers, receiving acclaim for her creativity and confident presentation. Her talk emphasized that effective educational tools can emerge from straightforward yet innovative concepts, demonstrating that complex technology is not always necessary for impactful solutions.

Maria’s success highlights the supportive environment of her school and the commitment of her mentors. Principal Mr. Ayeni Kolawole Ibrahim has cultivated a culture of innovation, discipline, and academic excellence, while teachers Mr. Ajose Samuel and Mr. Olowookere Babatunde provided essential support that helped Maria excel on such a significant platform.

Recognition also goes to the Lagos State Government and Lagos State Education District V for fostering policies that encourage students to explore their talents, develop leadership skills, and showcase their potential beyond academics.

Maria’s journey from developing a learning game to presenting it on a national platform illustrates the value of talent, mentorship, and opportunity. Her story embodies the belief that curiosity, encouragement, and resolve can lead young innovators to reach national and even global heights.

As Maria continues to enhance Mensopoly and broaden her academic pursuits, the project has the potential to become a widely acknowledged educational resource. Her triumph at the International Women’s Day 2026 conference marks the rise of a young leader whose creativity and leadership are set to influence education well beyond classroom boundaries.