Iroka Chidinma Joy spoke on the “Dream Big! Space 4 All!” panel at Amplifying Her Voice: In Moms We Trust, discussing the importance of reaching out to underserved communities—and the joy it brings her to see African women and girls who, inspired by her achievements, realize there are opportunities for them to explore space, science, or whatever excites them.
Iroka is a scientist, mentor, role model, and leader in the space industry. She is a member of the African Space Leadership Congress, the technical adviser of the Space STEM Educational Initiative for Africa, co-founder and secretary-general of Women in Aerospace Nigeria, and a member of the United Nations initiative Space4Women; which in 2017 invited her to speak on “Space Science and Technology: A Veritable Tool for Demolishing the Gender Ceiling in Nigeria.”
A chief engineer at the National Space Research and Development Agency, she was one of two people on her team to be trained in Surrey Satellite Technology, helping to design, build, and test Nigerian satellites.
Her analytical, solution-oriented approach isn’t only effective when it comes to engineering solutions. She applies the same planning, foresight, and ownership of vision to her ideas about scientific cooperation across the globe—and to working with, educating, and inspiring girls and young women in evolving environments. We asked her a few questions before the summit, and here she discusses her drive to shine a light on underserved communities, her experiences in the space industry, wisdom she hopes to pass on to girls and young women, and more.
What inspired you to join Amplifying Her Voice? What do you hope to share with the world?
My passion for young girls and women to venture into space exploration and technology and become creators—as opposed to people dumping technology on them. Reaching out to them by creating awareness, especially in the rural areas and the undeserved in Africa.
What most drives and motivates you each day?
Seeing people being neglected because of study materials, resources, and money.
Who is your role model?
My late father.
What cause, company, group, or movement are you a part of that you would like to share with us?
UNOOSA Space for Women (S4W) and the Space STEM Educational Initiative for Africa (SSEIA).
What do you think are some of the most pressing issues facing moms, families, and caregivers today?
They need awareness and opportunities should be given to them.
How do you think issues like poverty, violence, racism, oppression, and inequality intersect with motherhood and with being a woman?
They’re always at the receiving end (negatively), and so need to be given the right information on education. They also need more opportunities to exercise their rights in society, the workplace and within their families.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
Continue with the good work of reaching out to the young girls and women who are already in the system and you definitely get there.
What is something you would like to share with the next generation?
A lot!
Who inspired you as a child or young person?
My father.
What do you think is the most important thing for women to keep in mind in terms of caring for themselves?
I can do it.
What advice would you like to share with girls and women looking to achieve their dreams and lift up one another?
Keep trying while you pair or work with a role model for assistance.
Believe in yourself, strive to handle every task given to you, and submit on time. Always try and do it yourself.
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We’re honored to have so many trailblazing women at our summits—and we’re inspired to know so many mentors, leaders, and role models who are, in the words of Iroka Chidinma Joy, “letting people know that there are opportunities for them, especially young girls.”
Sign up now to catch our next summit, Amplifying Her Voice: Stronger Together, June 22-24.
