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Anambra Student Wins 2026 National Head Girl Competition
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Published 10/26/2026 6:20:57 AM
Anambra Student Wins 2026 National Head Girl Competition – THISDAYLIVE
Jane-Frances Chiamaka Gabriel of Queen of the Rosary College Onitsha has emerged champion of the 2026 National Head Girl Competition, organised by the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN Global).
She won a cash prize of ₦1 million and a brand-new laptop at the grand finale held on Tuesday, October 13, at Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Jane-Frances, who represented her school in the competition, clinched the top prize with an innovation that uses plantable pencils made from recycled paper to teach children about climate change.
Her victory followed a multi-stage selection process that saw her advance from an initial pool of applicants to the top 16 contestants, then the top eight, before securing a place among the final three. Her progression earned her an all-expenses-paid trip to Lagos, which she undertook alongside the school’s principal, Reverend Sister Maria Chijioke Nwankwo, for the grand finale.
At the final, Jane-Frances competed against some of Nigeria’s most promising young female student leaders while presenting her innovation as a practical way to introduce environmental awareness to children while encouraging sustainable habits from an early age.
The competition concluded with Fetuga Ameerah of the International School, University of Lagos, taking second place, while Oritsematosan Jackson of Royal Family Academy, Abuja, finished third.
Organised by WILAN Global, the National Head Girl Competition is an innovation and leadership platform for head girls across Nigeria. It provides participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership abilities, develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges and showcase their capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Speaking on the school’s achievement, the school’s principal, Rev. Sr. Maria Chijioke Nwankwo, said the victory reflected the school’s sustained commitment to preparing young girls for leadership, entrepreneurship and the future of work.
“Wins like this are not entirely new to QRC. At QRC, we take entrepreneurship education and digital skills training seriously because we believe that girls must be equipped not just to participate in the future economy but to shape it,” she said.
The principal also acknowledged the contributions of teachers and the school’s proprietor, Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke, whose support continues to strengthen the school’s commitment to nurturing confident and socially responsible young leaders.
For Gabriel, the victory provided an opportunity to put her creativity to practical use and demonstrate how young people can contribute to addressing challenges in their communities.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful for this opportunity from WILAN Global. I am also deeply grateful to my entrepreneurship education coach and mentor, Mr John Onuigbo, who has helped me understand what is possible and encouraged me to turn my ideas into solutions that can make an impact,” she said.
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Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce.
Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.
Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.
‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.
This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.
Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.
By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.
To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.
These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.
‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.
