Wednesday, June 3, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

IWD: Unilever drives action for gender inclusion, empowerment

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By Zika Bobby

As part of efforts to drive workplace inclusion, Unilever Nigeria hosted the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration at its Oregun and Agbara sites respectively.

The event brought together professionals and advocates to discuss the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership. It reinforced Unilever’s commitment to fostering a culture where women thrive and contribute meaningfully across all sectors.

Welcoming the women to the celebration, Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, Tobi Adeniyi, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to championing gender equality and creating an inclusive workplace.

“At Unilever, we walk the talk when it comes to inclusion and equity. There is no doubt that having women in leadership and key roles leads to a healthier and more productive workplace, therefore, I am committed to taking necessary action that helps our organisation continually shape an ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” he said.

During the panel discussion with the theme: “Accelerating Action Through Empowering Experiences,” the National Finance Director of Unilever Nigeria, Folake Ogundipe, emphasised the need for businesses to actively champion diversity and inclusion and applauded Unilever’s dedication to policies that ensure equal opportunities and actions.

In her contribution, Ibukun Oyejide, Group CFO of Access Bank PLC, underscored the importance of financial independence and leadership development for women. She encouraged women to be proactive and daring in pursuing leadership opportunities, while never doubting their abilities and drawing inspiration and strength from deep rooted values and a sense of purpose.

Speaking on the significance of storytelling in shaping narratives around gender inclusion, Nigerian producer and co-founder of Inkblot Productions, Zulumoke Oyibo, stressed the role of media in amplifying women’s voices. “Representation matters. The more we see diverse women in leadership, the more we normalise inclusion and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” she noted.

As part of its continuous commitment to inclusion, Unilever has implemented progressive policies, such as menstrual health leave, 16 weeks of maternity leave and on-site dedicated lactation and childcare facilities for nursing mothers.