Women’s history project inspires schoolgirls for national development

HerStory of Nigeria, a campaign dedicated to preserving the history of Nigerian women, has inspired schoolgirls to aspire towards national development. During the third edition of the project held at St Jude Cathedral Church in Lagos, lead archivist Dr Oludamola Adebowale expressed the importance of exposing young girls to the stories of trailblazing women.

The initiative aims to document, promote, and preserve the often overlooked contributions of women in Nigeria's history, providing role models for young girls to emulate. Dr Adebowale emphasized that history is not only about academic learning but also about cultural identity, civic responsibility, and psychological development.

He lamented that Nigerian women's history has not received adequate attention despite their significant contributions to nation-building, and argued that learning from the past is essential to addressing current problems. The project targets girls specifically to address historical neglect and inspire the next generation of female leaders.

Organizers hope to extend the initiative to federal schools across Nigeria next year, subject to funding and logistics. The event also featured a keynote address by actress and media personality Eyiyemi Rogbinyin, who urged the girls to build confidence, reject fear, and identify their unique talents.