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By Josfyn Uba
For Ezinne Kufre Ekanem is the convener of the annual UpYouWomen Conferencem. The programme is a natural extension of her life’s trajectory and mission. Having navigated deep personal valleys—surviving multiple surgeries and walking the hard road of caregiving for a husband who has survived multiple strokes, Ezinne understands what it means to rise from places of pain, disruption, and uncertainty.
This conference brings the reality of her personal struggles into a shared space for other women. She says that it is not just a gathering but a reflection of her belief that women should be empowered with both inner strength and practical tools to rebuild, rise, and live fully.
She told Daily Sun recently that everything she does is rooted in that passion for wholeness and forward movement, and the conference is a powerful way to multiply that impact.
Can you share any success stories from previous conferences that highlight its impact on individuals and give a brief insight into this year’s event?
Of course, there are many success stories. One woman came to the conference on the verge of giving up on her dreams. She left with a renewed vision, connected with a mentor she met there, and within a year launched a thriving enterprise. Another found the courage to leave an abusive marriage after listening to one of our panelists. This year, we are going even deeper. We have curated an intimate but dynamic space with incredible speakers, a powerful exhibition, and a pilot project to empower 100 women across Nigeria out of poverty. It’s not just an event. It’s a movement.
What challenges have you faced in organizing this annual empowerment ritual or movement for women?
Naturally, there are many challenges for entrepreneurs in Nigerian business circle, although they vary from individuals. For me, the biggest one is funding. People love the vision, but translating admiration into sponsorship is often hard. There’s also the emotional burden—balancing my own life experiences while holding space for hundreds of women who look to me for strength. Then there is the issue of logistics; getting the right speakers, support teams, and ensuring that every detail feels intentional. But in all of it, I remind myself that purpose is rarely convenient.
As the conference has continued to grow, how have you adapted to meet the changing needs of participants?
We have become more intentional about listening. Feedback is now central to how we plan. Moving from one day to two days is because of the feedback from the women. We have also adopted a hybrid model to cater to women outside Lagos and even outside Nigeria. Our themes have grown bolder and more practical—covering everything from financial literacy to emotional healing and legacy building. We’re also curating more intimate sessions so that women leave not just inspired but equipped.
What are your long-term hopes for the conference and how do you see it evolving in the next couple of years?
I envision the UpYouWomen Conference becoming a flagship movement across Africa—taking place in multiple cities, birthing mentorship circles, business support clusters, and policy influence. I want to see us building an academy that trains women year-round and providing direct support to survivors of abuse, trauma, and poverty. I see us influencing how society perceives and treats women. The fire will keep spreading.
What have you personally learned from your interaction with women of diverse orientations and how has it shaped your perspective on empowerment and self-development?
I have learned that pain is universal, but so is strength. Whether it’s a young woman recovering from shame, a single mother starting over, or a high-flyer battling burnout—every woman has something she’s carrying. These interactions have taught me that empowerment must be both kind and brave. You can’t just tell women to “rise”—you must show them how, and walk beside them as they do.
As an entrepreneur, how do you manage your businesses with other roles without one suffering?
It is grace, structure and learning to ask for help. I wear many hats as an entrepreneur, show host, mother, and advocate but I’ve learned to pace myself and be intentional. I don’t try to do everything at once. I prioritize, delegate, and rest when I need to. My businesses are aligned with my purpose, so they don’t feel like distractions but extensions of my calling. I also believe in building capable teams that carry the vision with me. When you’re driven by purpose, clarity and focus will always find you.
What concrete steps can we take to advance women empowerment?
We must move from inspiration to implementation. Empowerment is not a buzzword; it’s a daily commitment. Invest in girl-child education, create safe and inclusive workspaces, mentor intentionally, fund women-owned businesses, pass policies that protect and promote women’s rights. Every empowered woman becomes a ripple impacting her home, her community, and the next generation. It’s a legacy we must build intentionally.
What advice do you have for women going through one challenge or the other?
Don’t bury your story in shame, own it, learn from it, and rise with it. Life’s challenges are not designed to break you, but to shape you. You are not weak because you are struggling; you are strong because you are still standing. Find your tribe, ask for help, hold on to your faith, and take one step at a time. The fire you are walking through is not the end it may just be your refining ground.
What do you want to achieve with this year’s theme, Unbound: Rise Beyond Limitations?
This year’s theme, Unbound: Rising Beyond Limits, is a clarion call. I want every woman who hears it to know that the limitations they’ve internalized—whether from society, upbringing, past failures, or even trauma—are not permanent. My goal is for women to leave this conference with a renewed sense of possibility, having encountered real stories, practical tools, and the right community that empowers them to live freely and audaciously, beyond every imposed limit.
It is not just another women’s event. It is a divine reset and lunch pad for women who are ready to heal, grow and walk in power.
The event takes place between 29th and 30th August, 2025 in Victoria Island. Dr. Mrs. Temitope Mayegun, women empowerments advocate and CEO of Avila Naturalle will lead other visionaries as the keynote speaker to this August event.
Can you share a memorable experience from a past conference that inspired participants?
One that has stayed with me happened during a past conference, when a speaker, after delivering a deeply moving talk on “building bridges from within” ended her session by playing the song “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand.” In that moment, something beautiful broke loose in the room. Total strangers turned to one another, embracing, holding hands, smiling through tears. Women who had arrived with heavy hearts were now affirming each other, whispering words of hope, and simply being there—for someone they may never have met before.
The atmosphere shifted completely—burden lines melted, masks dropped, and there was this deep sense of shared humanity. It was spontaneous, sacred, and unforgettable. Many women told us later that they had never felt so seen, so held. It reminded me that healing doesn’t always come through grand gestures—it often begins in the quiet, unexpected moments of connection. And most importantly, it reinforced this truth: we don’t have to go it alone. We have each other.
Where do you draw fulfillment in all of these?
I draw fulfillment in the quiet testimonies—the DM that says, “Thank you, I didn’t take my life,” or “I found my voice again.” I draw strength from knowing that my ashes—literal and metaphorical are birthing beauty in others. And most importantly, I draw peace from obedience. I know I was called to do this. So I do it, scars and all.
