The IDIA Academy transforms the lives of academically gifted girls from underprivileged backgrounds by enabling access to quality education, training, and developmental support.
Through our 10-year commitment — from primary school through to secondary education — we identify and nurture young talent, breaking down barriers that prevent brilliant minds from reaching their full potential.
Our holistic approach combines academic excellence with personal development, community engagement, and direct pathways to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers.
Named after Queen Idia, the legendary 16th-century warrior queen of the Benin Kingdom, the IDIA Academy honors her legacy of female leadership and barrier-breaking.
Our Impact: Through our 4 core initiatives, we are building a pipeline of confident, healthy and future-ready female leaders who will transform their communities and position Nigeria as a leader in the global knowledge economy.
“Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream, is even smarter economics.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-General of the World Trade Organization
idia's spark
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
“Igniting their full potential”
idia's light
MENTORSHIP & WELLBEING PROGRAMS
“Illuminating a clear path”
idia's village
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
“Enabling their dreams”
idia's rise
CAREER COUNSEL & WORK PLACEMENT
“Shaping their future goals”
Queen Idia, also known as ’Idia the Great’, was the mother of Oba Esigie, who reigned as the Oba (king) of the Edo people in Benin City, Nigeria, from 1504 to 1550.
While not the official ruler, Idia wielded significant power behind the throne, likely influencing her son’s decisions throughout his reign.
Historical accounts credit Idia with leading armies into battle herself. Notably, she played a significant role in the successful Idah War (1515-1516), a crucial victory for the Benin Kingdom. She broke traditions by actively participating in warfare, showing military prowess that defied expectations of women's roles at the time.
Her son Oba Esigie is credited with creating the title of Iyoba (Queen Mother) and bestowing it upon Idia. This established a position of power and influence for future queen mothers in the Benin Kingdom, cementing Idia’s legacy.
After her death (est. mid-16th century), Oba Esigie ordered skilled craftsmen to build bronze heads and masks in honour of her military achievements and ceremonial power. These works of art, including the Bronze Head of Queen Idia and the Benin Ivory Mask, can still be found in Museums around the world, including the British Museum. As a significant cultural and historical icon, the debate surrounding Queen Idia's artifacts and calls for repatriation to Nigeria remain ongoing.
Queen Idia's story exemplifies female leadership, defying expectations, and carving her own path to power. She inspires women to pursue leadership roles and challenge societal norms to redefine what it means to be a powerful woman.
Ensure inclusive and equiable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Ensure inclusive and equiable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
eliminate all discrimination in education
By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indiginous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
expand higher education scholarships for developing countries
By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for example enrollment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries.
end discrimination against women & girls
End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
promote empowerment of women through technology
Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communication technology, to promote the empowerment of women.
Gaius Idubor Street, Benin City, Edo State
info@theidiaacademy.org
FOLLOW US AT:
REGISTRATION NUMBER 8038860
The Idia Academy for Girls™️