2024 Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative Recipient

During her undergraduate career pursuing an Arts & Science degree, Oyin Aderibigbe has served in multiple leadership roles. These include acting as an Executive of the Black Student Success Centre’s Welcome Week, a Community Advisor for McMaster residence buildings, a volunteer for Crossfire Church, an Academic Mentor for Empowerment Squared’s Homework Circle, and as Senior Program Advisor (and incoming Co-Vice President Functions) on the Society of Arts & Science Executive. She has been nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction 2024 Award.

Her other achievements include involvement in educational efforts through model politics, both locally and internationally. She led Model City Hall in high school, a non-profit geared towards emphasizing youth voices. At McMaster Model United Nations, Oyin served in the roles of Junior Executive, Under-Secretary-General Committees, and Vice President of Internal Outreach. Concurrently, she completed terms as Assistant Director and Director of Committees at the National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) conferences in 2022 and 2023. Aderibigbe currently teaches students about the foundations of research, debate, negotiation, and international relations.

Additionally, Oyin was a member of the SCORE! Team at CityLAB Hamilton, which focused on increasing access to active lifestyle activities to improve health for newcomer communities in the city. This experience stood out to her due to the hands-on experience working with and for the community, introducing her to new people, improving communication, and providing skills that would be helpful in completing her degree and pursuing a future career in similar areas such as project management.
Oyin’s time at McMaster has led her to a better understanding of herself and how she fits into the world.

“Sometimes you have different things to learn. Sometimes you’re with other people and your pace doesn’t necessarily look like their pace or they’re in a season that maybe looks faster than your season… but that’s not necessarily representative of the truth. And it’s okay if you are in a different season,” stated Aderibigbe.

Her time at McMaster also holds some of Oyin’s favourite memories. As a Hamilton native, Oyin took her friends to see some caves at the end of her first year, a hidden gem in the city. Being a Welcome Week Representative for the Black Student Success Center and being a part of the community to introduce new students to campus and show them what the campus has to offer while building new connections also holds a spot as a memorable experience.

Oyin has more advice she would like to share with current students.

“The biggest piece of advice that I have for students is just for them to take some time to discover themselves. And to explore different things… Take some time to do activities that you never thought you would do in the past, or take some time to try something new. Do something spontaneous. You never know. Where it will take you and what you might end up getting into,” said Oyin.

Aderibigbe stated that she is very grateful and honoured to receive the award. She feels inspired to continue making a difference in her community by supporting others through community-oriented initiatives.

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The Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative Awards are presented annually by the Alumni Association to recognize current students who provide outstanding support, leadership and community involvement/service to their Faculty, Program or to McMaster University.