Owerri Girls’ Secondary School (OGSS) was founded in 1955 in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria, by the Holy Rosary Sisters from Ireland.

The school was established to provide quality education for young girls at a time when female education in Nigeria was still gaining ground.

Under the leadership of Sister Loyola, the school’s first principal, OGSS quickly became one of the leading institutions for girls’ education in Eastern Nigeria.

The first graduating class completed their studies in 1959, marking the beginning of a long tradition of academic excellence and moral discipline.

This undated photograph captures Sister Loyola with Class 3, a group that represented the pioneering spirit of the school’s early years.

Seated beside her (to the right) is Lady Agatha N. Njoku, the first African female teacher at Owerri Girls’ Secondary School, who played a significant role in mentoring the students and bridging the gap between the Irish missionary educators and the local community. Her presence marked an important milestone in the school’s transition toward greater Nigerian participation in education and leadership.

Together, Sister Loyola and Lady Agatha helped lay the foundation for generations of women who would go on to make remarkable contributions to society in education, health, public service, and beyond.