By Damiete Braide
In a country where thousands of children are out- of-school and education often takes a back seat to more glamorous pursuits, the May Six Empowerment Foundation is taking bold steps to change the narrative, starting with the universal language of mathematics.
At the heart of this initiative is Dr. Olukayode Shiroye, the founder of the foundation. His passion for education is deeply rooted in personal experience. “Back in secondary school, I was one of the best in mathematics. I represented my school in competitions, and those moments shaped my confidence and problem-solving skills,” he recalls.
For Dr. Shiroye, mathematics is more than just numbers; it is a gateway to logical thinking, a discipline that enables young people to face life’s challenges head-on.
That passion led to the launch of the foundation’s maiden mathematics competition, a contest designed not just to reward academic brilliance but to inspire a culture of hard work and integrity. “Unlike some of the public exams that are riddled with malpractice, our competition is transparent. We want students to understand that success is earned, not handed out,” he explains.
The foundation is not just about competitions. Its core mission is to empower students and support underprivileged families who struggle to give their children a decent education. Dr. Shiroye, who was raised by a single mother, understands the hurdles many children face. “Despite the challenges, I became an academic doctor. I know there are many bright minds out there that just need a little support, financial, moral, or otherwise. That’s why we’re here.”
The foundation has started making an impact beyond just academics. It has renovated facilities in public schools and is exploring ways to assist parents with low incomes. “We want to help those who sell items by the roadside, parents who can barely afford school fees for their children. If we support the parents, we empower the children,” Shiroye says.
Mrs. Debbie Shiroye, co-founder of the foundation, echoes this sentiment. “When you empower parents, they are in a better position to send their children to school. It’s a ripple effect. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Education is essential, if we’re surrounded by educated people, society works better.”
Recently, the foundation also conducted a medical outreach in one of Lagos State schools, proving that their interest in youth development is holistic. But the mathematics competition remains a highlight. Designed to promote academic excellence and reward diligence, it has already begun to change lives.
A fifteen 15-year-old, Oluwafareanmi Olabiyi, a student at Agbowa Community Senior Grammar School in Epe, emerged as the overall winner of the competition and went home with N1.5 million cash prize and a laptop. “I feel happy and accomplished. All my efforts from primary school have finally paid off. I appreciate what the foundation is doing and hope they continue, because they are really inspiring students,” he stated.
The competition also saw Chimkwesiri from Penny International Secondary School (Coker/Aguda LGA) take home N1 million and a tablet as the first runner-up. The second runner-up prize of N500, 000 each went to Jonah Onyedikachi of Dabitos Secondary School in Mushin and Joshua Anyalebechi from Agidingbi Secondary School in Ikeja.
The event attracted notable figures, including Nollywood actress, Toyin Alausa, who lauded the foundation’s efforts. “There are many competitions out there, but not many focus on a subject like mathematics. Most students are scared of it, but this kind of initiative shows them that hard work in tough subjects can pay off. I applaud the May Six Empowerment Foundation for putting their resources into something as important as education.”
The foundation is planning to expand the competition beyond Lagos to other states, introducing Computer-Based Testing (CBT) to align with the national examination trends and enhance digital literacy. “This is just the beginning,” says, Dr. Shiroye. “