In a powerful demonstration of 21st century pageantry, Busayo Serah Oladele, a distinguished Science Laboratory Technology (Physics/Electronics) student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), has been crowned Miss Ogbomoso 2024 – merging academic rigor with cultural ambassadorship. The 22-year-old science scholar, currently researching semiconductor applications in renewable energy systems, accepted the crown while wearing her lab coat over her evening gown during the final judging segment, symbolizing her commitment to redefining beauty pageants as platforms for intellectual advocacy. Her coronation speech, delivered partly in Yoruba and partly in the technical language of quantum physics, emphasized how “the precision of scientific inquiry and the elegance of our cultural heritage can coexist to empower Nigeria’s next generation.”
The newly minted queen, who maintains a 4.3/5.0 GPA in LAUTECH’s competitive Science Laboratory Technology program, plans to leverage her reign to launch “STEM for the Savvy,” a mentorship initiative that will tour secondary schools across Oyo State. Her vision aligns with the Echo of the Girl Child foundation that propelled her journey, founded by Hon. Mrs Oluwakemi Alabi (Oloriagba1), which has already impacted over 3,000 young women through leadership programming since 2020.
The Making of a Multidimensional Queen
✔ Academic Pedigree:
- Top 5% in LAUTECH’s Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
- Published undergraduate researcher on nanoelectronics
- NASENI scholarship recipient for innovation in physics
✔ Pageant Philosophy:
- First contestant to incorporate science demonstrations into talent portion
- Advocacy platform: “Closing the Gender Gap in African Tech”
- Traditional attire showcase featured woven STEM symbols
Why Her Reign Matters
► Challenges stereotypes about beauty queens in conservative regions
► Provides tangible STEM role model for rural girls
► Demonstrates synergy between cultural pride and technological progress
► Represents Ogbomoso’s emergence as education hub
Next Phase Initiatives
- August 2024: “A Day in the Lab” program for 500 schoolgirls
- October 2024: Tech-themed cultural festival
- December 2024: STEM scholarship fund launch
