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 In this insightful and audacious work, Olamitayo Irantiola blends personal experiences, historical references, and academic insight to confront and unravel the multifaceted forms of gender discrimination that persist across society, especially in leadership roles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
The federal government announces the introduction of a National Textbook Ranking System for Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools across the country as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen quality assurance and standardisation in Nigeria’s education sector.
The development was disclosed in a Monday statement signed by Mrs Folasade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, noting that the initiative is designed to address the growing proliferation of textbooks in schools and ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant learning materials are approved for classroom use.
The Implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System will commence from the September 2026 academic session, following the establishment of the Standing Subject Committees and completion of the evaluation framework.
The statement disclosed that the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suiwaba Sai’d Ahmad, stated that under the new system, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to exercise its statutory authority to approve textbooks for use in Nigerian schools.
The Ministry explained that the textbooks will now be ranked through a structured national evaluation process to determine the most suitable and highest-quality options for each subject and level of education.
The statement reads, “As part of the reform, NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees comprising experts in relevant subject areas. These committees will conduct rigorous reviews of textbooks submitted by publishers and evaluate them based on clearly defined academic and pedagogical standards.
“Following this evaluation process, only a limited number of textbooks will be ranked and approved for use in schools for each subject, ensuring improved quality control and consistency in teaching and learning materials across the country.”
The Ministry explained that the introduction of the ranking system is expected to significantly reduce the excessive number of textbooks currently in circulation in many schools, which has often created confusion for teachers, students and parents.
The statement added, “The reform also aims to bring greater transparency, order and quality assurance into the textbook approval process while aligning Nigeria’s education system with international best practices in instructional material standardisation.
“Under the new policy, NERDC will continue its responsibility of licensing textbooks. However, any textbook that is not ranked under the new system will not be permitted for use in Nigerian schools, regardless of prior licensing status.”
The statement further revealed that the Education Ministry will communicate the new ranking policy to teachers and other key stakeholders in the education sector to ensure proper awareness and compliance with the new framework.
The federal government reaffirmed that the reform forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the quality of education delivery, enhance learning outcomes and ensure that Nigerian students are equipped with the best possible learning resources.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The winner of the 2026 African Spelling Bee Championship, Ms Adeolu Oreofe, has been congratulated by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President described the outstanding achievement of the 14-year-old student as the importance of sustained investment in education, literacy, and youth development.
The student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College in Ado Ekiti claimed the championship in the Junior Category in Harare, Zimbabwe recently.
She defeated contestants from over 20 African countries to claim the continental crown, which comes with a $5,000 educational scholarship.
She finished second at the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee and the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee. She then placed fifth at the 2025 African Spelling Bee and second at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee, before clinching the first prize this year in the continental championship.
Mr Tinubu applauded Oreofe’s dedication, as well as the unwavering support of parents, teachers, and mentors who contributed to this remarkable success, noting that she did not allow earlier disappointments to deter her from her determination to reach the top.
“I am convinced that this feat not only brings honour to Nigeria on the continental stage but also serves as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerians to pursue excellence in academics and personal development.
“As a government, we will continue to strengthen the education sector by creating opportunities that enable Nigerian youths to compete and excel globally. I wish Miss Oreofe continued success in her future endeavours,” the President further said in the statement by his chief spokesman.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has made new appointments in the country’s educational sector, covering the National Examination Council (NECO), the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), the Federal Polytechnic in N’yak Shendam, Plateau State, and the National Library of Nigeria, all institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to a statement on Wednesday, President Tinubu appointed Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of NECO, and retained the current registrar, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi.
The President also appointed Dr Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam, Plateau State, and renewed the tenure of Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi as chief executive of the National Library of Nigeria.
For the chairmanship of the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), President Tinubu appointed Professor Babatunde Salako.
On April 10, President Tinubu reappointed the incumbent executive secretary, Professor Idris M Bugaje, for a second and final term of five years.
Professor Adelabu, who will chair NECO, is a retired Professor of educational administration who rose through the ranks to full professorship at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
She was a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State (2013- 2014) and the Chairman of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) between 2018 and 2021.
Professor Babatunde Salako, the new chair of NBTE, is a globally respected researcher with decades of experience in higher education, institutional governance and national policy leadership.
He previously served as the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) from 2016 to 2024, a period during which the institute experienced significant revitalisation, enhanced research governance, expanded international collaborations, and improved infrastructure and research outputs.
Dr Binfa, from Plateau State, succeeds Dr Mukaila Zakari Ya’u, the pioneer Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam, whose tenure expired on March 16, 2026.
President Tinubu approved the appointment of Dr Binfa for a single term of five years, following the conclusion of the process for appointing a new Rector through a public advertisement in national dailies in September 2025.
Dr Binfa holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Before this appointment, Dr Binfa was Deputy Rector (Academic) at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny. He was also a Lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Federal Polytechnic, Idah.
President Tinubu approved the renewal of the tenure of Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi as CEO of the National Library of Nigeria for a final term of five years. She was first appointed on September, 2, 2021.
Since assuming office, she has led several institutional reforms aimed at repositioning the National Library as a modern technology-driven knowledge institution, including the development and operationalisation of the National Repository of Nigeria, the Newspaper and Magazine Locator, the Index and Abstract to Nigerian Newspapers, and the National Virtual Library of Nigeria.
She has also played a strategic role in advancing the long-awaited completion of the National Library Headquarters project and in initiating plans to migrate heritage collections from the 34 state branches to the new headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, the President expects that the renewal of her tenure would ensure continuity in the implementation of ongoing reforms, completion of the National Library Headquarters project, and execution of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan of the institution.
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