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Over 3000 virtual participants expected
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By Sunday Ani
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his counterparts from Delta and Ekiti States, Sheriff Oborevwori and Biodun Oyebanji, are expected to lead other important dignitaries to the 26th edition of the annual National Women Conference (NWC) of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), scheduled to hold from October 26 to 28, 2026.
The three-day conference, which is the eighth and final edition for the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu, will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu’s wife and Chairman of COWLSO, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the conference, themed ‘Anchored for Purpose: Be the Blueprint,’ would further strengthen the platform’s national reach and its conversations around women’s development and advancement.
She said the conference would be held in a hybrid format, allowing a limited number of participants to attend physically while also providing a platform for unlimited virtual participation for interested women to connect, learn, share experiences and translate ideas into meaningful action.
She announced that the conference would focus on purposeful leadership, meaningful contributions and the responsibility of women to leave positive footprints in their families, workplaces and communities.
She said the conference had evolved over the years into a platform for learning, empowerment, networking, reflection and meaningful conversations on issues affecting women, families and communities.
She explained that the theme challenges women to look beyond personal accomplishments and reflect on the footprints they are leaving behind.
She also described the theme as a call for women to live purposefully, make meaningful contributions and ensure that their presence creates value that could positively influence others and endure beyond their immediate generation.
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She announced that physical participation for the conference would cost N150,000 for a maximum of 3,000 participants, while the cost for virtual participation was pegged at N50,000 for an unlimited number of interested attendees.
She disclosed that registration had already commenced on September 15 and would close on October 15. She added that late registration for physical participation, which attracts an additional fee of N15,000, would commence on October 24.
She noted that owing to limited physical capacity, only five participants are expected from each Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA), while the virtual platform would remain open to an unlimited number of participants.
She also unveiled a series of activities designed to extend the message of the conference beyond the conventional conference setting, explaining that the walk would take participants through significant locations on Lagos Island, connecting the conference theme with the history, culture, institutions and development of Lagos.
The three-day conference will feature an opening ceremony and keynote lectures on the first day, followed by further lectures and presentations on the second day, which will also feature the traditional COWLSO Gala Night.
The final day will feature the closing ceremony and reflection on the lessons, conversations and commitments emerging from the conference.
Dr Sanwo-Olu said the conference is expected to attract women from different sectors and walks of life, including government officials, policymakers, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, development practitioners, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organisations, traditional and community leaders, young women, women’s groups and other stakeholders.
She urged prospective participants to come prepared to learn, connect, reflect and act, stressing the need to move from vision to action, from intention to impact and from simply occupying spaces to leaving them better than they were found.
She expressed confidence that the conference would provide another opportunity for women to reflect on their purpose, celebrate their journey and consider the footprints they are leaving for generations to come.
