Education
A Manifesto for Empowerment and Action: A Review of Smash The Glass Ceiling by Olamitayo Irantiola
Title: Smash The Glass Ceiling: Empowering African Women to Break Barriers and Achieve their Dreams
Author: Olamitayo Ebunola Irantiola
Pagination: 244 pages
Publisher: Peo Davies Communications
Year of Publication: 2025
Reviewer: Dr Kehinde Olubanjo
Smash the Glass Ceiling is a powerful manifesto for women striving to break free from deeply rooted societal, cultural, and religious barriers. In this insightful and audacious work, Olamitayo Irantiola blends personal experiences, historical references, and academic insight to confront and unravel the multifaceted forms of gender discrimination that persist across society, especially in leadership roles within African contexts.
Irantiola’s message is unmistakably clear from the first page: women are not second-class citizens. They are not afterthoughts. They are leaders, changemakers, visionaries. This short but potent book dares to challenge stereotypes, dismantle myths surrounding women’s capabilities, and inspire women to assert their rightful place in every sphere of influence – from the home to the church, to the highest levels of governance.
Each chapter of the book acts like a stage of awakening, encouraging readers to progress from awareness to courage, and then from courage to action. She draws attention to the subtle and overt ways women are marginalized – ways that often go unnoticed because they have been normalized for generations. From being passed over for leadership roles to being discouraged from expressing ambition, women are often taught to play small. Irantiola offers a powerful counter-narrative: women must rise, lead, and thrive in spaces where they have historically been excluded.
In one of the book’s standout moments, Irantiola writes, “You are not weak; you are a woman.” This punchy, affirming language defines the book’s tone. Each page is laden with declarations – some poetic, others prophetic – that stir the soul. She encourages women to reject self-doubt, embrace their full identity, and stop apologizing for taking up space.
Importantly, Irantiola doesn’t merely point out the problem – she proposes solutions. With practical steps and motivational insights, the book offers strategies for breaking mental, emotional, and institutional barriers. It advocates for women’s inclusion in pastoral leadership, political participation, business, and beyond. In doing so, it transcends personal empowerment and becomes a broader call to collective social change.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Smash the Glass Ceiling is its grounding in spirituality without being dogmatic. While addressing faith-based environments, particularly the church, Irantiola boldly questions the exclusion of women from pulpits and leadership boards. She reimagines a faith community that embraces both sons and daughters as vessels of power and wisdom. This makes the book particularly relevant for African women, many of whom navigate a complex intersection of faith, tradition, and ambition.
While the work is largely declarative and poetic, it does not lack substance. Irantiola’s reflections are undergirded by historical awareness and cultural critique. She is not just cheerleading; she is diagnosing societal patterns and prescribing remedies. She challenges patriarchal systems that tokenize women rather than fully include them and warns against superficial feminism that neglects structural change.
In terms of literary style, Irantiola’s voice is clear, bold, and at times lyrical. She does not shy away from repetition, using it as a rhetorical tool to drive her points home. Her cadence often mimics spoken word poetry, making the book ideal for live readings, workshops, or empowerment seminars. You can imagine a roomful of women nodding, snapping, or even standing to their feet as the words resonate deeply with their lived experiences.
Another strength of the book lies in its inclusivity. Irantiola does not speak only to women in high offices or elite circles. Her message embraces all women – students, homemakers, entrepreneurs, clerics, and professionals. It speaks to the young girl silenced in the classroom, the woman whose ambition is mocked, and the leader whose voice is constantly questioned. To all these women, she says: your presence is valid, your dreams are possible, your ceiling is meant to be shattered.
Smash the Glass Ceiling is also a valuable resource for mentors, educators, and gender equality advocates. It provides language that can be used to inspire, empower, and equip others. For men, too, it is a compelling read – one that invites introspection and partnership in dismantling systems that restrict and oppress. By the time the reader reaches the final chapter, the voice becomes even more urgent, more prophetic. It is as though the author is passing a torch, saying: “You have read the words; now embody them. Let this book not be a bookshelf decoration but a battle cry.”
What ultimately makes Smash the Glass Ceiling unique and impactful is not just its content but its conviction. It is not a passive commentary on gender roles; it is a full-throated declaration of purpose and power. It says that the time for waiting is over. That the barriers must fall. That women should not only be invited to the table but also empowered to lead it or build a better one.
In a world still grappling with inequality, erasure, and gendered expectations, this book is timely. It is more than a motivational manual – it is a manifesto. And in the hands of the right reader, it is not just a book, it is a sledgehammer!
About the Reviewer
Kehinde Olubanjo is a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Cancer Institute – National Institutes of Health (NCI-NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America. He contributes to clinical pharmacology studies by analyzing cancer drugs and determining their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. He earned his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Arkansas, with a research focus on microdialysis – a powerful technique for studying drug distribution in biological systems. His expertise bridges drug analysis, bioanalytical method development, and the broader intersection of chemistry, public health, and translational medicine. Beyond the lab, Kehinde is passionate about science communication and exploring how research can drive health equity and societal impact.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Online learning platforms, Coursera and Udemy, have reached an agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction, with the combined company’s implied equity value estimated at approximately $2.5 billion.
The agreement, unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, stipulates that Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera common stock for each Udemy share held.
Upon completion of the merger, Coursera shareholders are expected to own about 59 per cent and Udemy shareholders approximately 41 per cent of the new entity on a fully diluted basis.
The combined company will continue under the Coursera name, and maintain its headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Coursera, founded in 2012 by Mr Andrew Ng and Ms Daphne Koller, is an online learning platform with 191 million registered users as of September 30, 2025. It collaborates with over 375 universities and industry partners to offer courses, specialisations, professional certificates, and degrees.
The platform includes features such as generative AI (gen AI) tools (Coach, Role Play, Course Builder) and role-based solutions (Skills Tracks) to support scalable and personalised learning. Coursera is used by institutions for workforce development in fields such as gen AI, data science, technology, and business.
Udemy is a platform that provides on-demand, multi-language courses to help companies and individuals develop technical, business, and soft skills. It uses AI to offer personalised learning experiences and supports workforce development in a changing workplace.
Mr Greg Hart, currently CEO of Coursera, is set to lead the enlarged organisation as CEO after the merger.
The board will consist of nine members. Six from Coursera’s board, including chairman Mr Ng and CEO Mr Hart, and three from Udemy’s board.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job across every industry.
“Organisations and individuals around the world need a platform that is as agile as the new and emerging skills learners must master,” Mr Hart said.
The combination is said to create a complete ecosystem of top instructors supported by AI tools, data-driven insights, and broader distribution, enabling more engaging, personalised, and dynamic learning at scale.
Projected operational efficiencies include anticipated annual run-rate cost synergies of $115m within two years after closing.
Udemy CEO, Mr Hugo Sarrazin said: “For more than 15 years, Udemy has helped millions of people master in-demand skills at the speed of innovation.
“Through this combination with Coursera, we will create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to our shareholders, who will participate in the substantial upside potential of the combined company.”
The merger is anticipated to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory clearances, approval by both companies’ shareholders, and other customary closing conditions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Global cryptocurrency platform, Luno and AltSchool Africa, an accredited online learning platform, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at demystifiing crypto to 15,000 Nigerians.
The initiative at that scale makes it Africa’s largest crypto education programme.
According to a joint statement on Wednesday, this is a significant step in Luno’s continued efforts to strengthen trust in digital assets and support safer participation in the digital economy.
This is hinged on Africa’s fast-growing digital finance landscape where 33 per cent of the country’s population already engage with digital assets, and a rapidly growing youth population are eager to participate in the digital economy.
According to the statement, the partnership aims to bridge the knowledge gap by providing structured, practical, and safe crypto education.
This will be done by combining Luno’s experience in promoting safe crypto participation with AltSchool Africa’s capability in delivering accessible digital skills training.
“The course directly addresses the misinformation and financial risks associated with unregulated digital assets, while demonstrating real-world applications tailored to African contexts,” the joint statement added.
The initiative will be implemented in three cohorts of 5,000 learners each. Applications for Cohort 1 will be open from January to February 2026, with the course commencing in March 2026. Cohort 2 participants will gain access to the course in July 2026, while Cohort 3 participants will begin the programme in November 2026.
The programme will be led by Web3 expert Mr Abdulsamad Tiamiyu, who will provide a practical, Africa-focused introduction to cryptocurrency, showing how it can be used for saving, remittances, global trading, and entrepreneurship.
The curriculum consists of five core modules and is designed to be completed within three to four weeks.
Learners benefit from up to one year of access to all course materials, including online, self-paced video lessons, slides, quizzes, and case studies. The course combines theory with hands-on experience, where learners interact with wallets, exchanges, stablecoins, and research tools like CoinGecko and Etherscan.
According to the organisers, this approach gives learners the tools to confidently use digital currencies in everyday financial activities. Successful learners, upon passing the assessments, earn an AltSchool Africa Certificate of Completion.
Speaking on the partnership, Mr Ayotunde Alabi, CEO of Luno Nigeria, said: “This initiative is a crucial intervention in Africa’s digital ecosystem. As crypto adoption accelerates, formal literacy must grow alongside it, so individuals can benefit safely and meaningfully,”
“Our partnership with AltSchool Africa is a deliberate step toward that goal and a foundational investment in the integrity of the industry. By delivering structured, high-quality education, Luno is helping ensure that Africans can participate confidently, securely, and sustainably – turning what is often seen as risk into real economic opportunity,” he added.
Adding his input, Mr Adewale Yusuf, Co-founder and CEO of AltSchool Africa, said “This partnership between AltSchool and Luno is a major step toward financial education that truly serves Africans and helps people gain the knowledge and tools they need to understand crypto with confidence and use it in practical, life-changing ways.”
The programme is open to Nigerian residents aged 18 and above who are able to commit to completing it within four weeks. Applicants must have a Luno account or create one before enrolling.
Starting January, Interested participants are encouraged to submit application through the AltSchool Africa portal, with scholarship decisions communicated within one week.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on Tuesday destroyed pirated books valued at N141.5 million seized from booksellers and suppliers during various enforcement operations.
The NCC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs Oluropo Oke, supervised the destruction in Ibadan on behalf of NCC Director‑General, Mr John Asein.
She noted that the pirated books were seized over the past three years from bookshops and markets in Abeokuta, Sango-Otta in Ogun, and the Oyo state capital.
“We valued the books before destroying them and found their total value to be N141,550,000.
“During the operations, we discovered that some booksellers could not prove the source of their purchases.
“There are several features that differentiate original books from pirated copies, including the binding, colour, grammage and point of purchase.
“We need to establish whether the books were bought from the original owners or publishers, or acquired on the streets,” she said.
The director-general warned that the Nigerian Copyright Act empowers the commission to punish any citizen caught pirating or illegally dealing in intellectual property.
She said those in possession of the seized books faced penalties ranging from fines and forfeiture to other punishments under the law, adding that book piracy continued to harm national economic growth and deprived authors and publishers of the benefits of their work.
The NCC explained that the books would not be burnt but shredded to prevent recirculation and protect the environment.
“We are making every effort to prevent pirated books from returning to the market. We are using a shredding machine because it is environmentally friendly. We believe that shredding will ensure the books do not re-enter circulation.
“We understand this is a significant loss to booksellers, but instead of buying from pirates, we encourage them to purchase from the original sources, publishers or their representatives, rather than from the streets,” she said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Mr Rotimi Iyiola, said book piracy had eroded much of publishers’ livelihoods.
“Witnessing the destruction of the seized pirated books by the NCC is a welcome development.
“Economically, book piracy causes enormous damage, not only to authors and publishers but also to workers and their families, and it deprives the government of revenue.
“Our jobs as publishers have been stolen, and our means of livelihood eroded,” Mr Iyiola said.
He lauded the NCC for its commitment and dedication to eradicating book piracy in Nigeria and reiterated that the NPA was ready to cooperate with the commission to ensure that piracy was effectively addressed.
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