In celebration of International Women's Day 2025, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Ibadan Branch is proud to recognize Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director and CEO of CEOAfrica, for his immense support of OWSD Ibadan's research and community engagement programs. He will be decorated and awarded as a "Friend of OWSD" during a special ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Oyo Road, starting at 10am. The Chief Host for this prestigious occasion will be Prof. Antonia Simbine, the Director-General of NISER.

OWSD is a voluntary organization aimed at fostering collaboration among women researchers in universities and allied institutions, emphasizing research activities that focus on societal gains. As a proud program unit of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), OWSD comprises female scientists and allied researchers from esteemed institutions including the University of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), National Agricultural Research and Technology Agencies (NAGGRAB), Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), NISER, and the Federal College of Health and Animal Production Technology (FCHAPT).

The organization’s primary goal is to enhance the participation of women researchers in developing countries within the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as allied research areas such as social sciences and arts. Prince Ilobanafor’s commitment to advancing research in Nigeria and beyond represents a beacon of hope for both women and men looking to break through the glass ceiling.

In a letter of invitation to Prince Ilobanafor, OWSD Ibadan expressed gratitude for his invaluable contributions, stating, “Your unforgettable efforts have inspired early, mid, and advanced career researchers, making you a role model for both female and male students in higher education to emulate.” The organization looks forward to honoring him for his impact on the community and the empowerment of women in research.

The event will commence with a workshop at 10am, followed by the award ceremony at 11am, where Prince Ilobanafor and other distinguished guests will be recognized for their contributions as “Friends of OWSD.”

As OWSD Ibadan prepares to celebrate this momentous occasion, it continues to strive towards an inclusive future for women in science and aims to cultivate a supportive network for researchers across all disciplines.