By Chukwuma Umeorah
Owing to the reality that women remain significantly underrepresented in key sectors of Nigeria’s economy—particularly in law, trade, construction, and property ownership—stakeholders are increasingly calling for systemic reforms to bridge these gaps and harness the full potential of female participation in national development.
To tackle these critical gaps, the Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has unveiled a series of targeted initiatives for the year 2025 aimed at equipping women to overcome structural barriers and rise into leadership roles across these sectors.
During a recent media briefing in Lagos, Executive Director, Wimbiz, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe said, “There are systemic barriers preventing women from reaching leadership positions in several sectors. Our initiatives are designed to address these gaps, provide support, and create actionable pathways for women to succeed in these traditionally male-dominated areas.”
She stressed that one of the starkest gender disparities remained in the legal profession, where women account for about 40 percent of the total legal practitioners in Nigeria. Yet, only 4 percent of the over 700 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) are women, with women holding just 33 percent of senior positions in the judiciary.
To address this, Akingbohungbe said that Wimbiz was facilitating mentorship programs, as well as a series of webinars and stakeholder dialogues, aimed at encouraging women to pursue leadership positions in the law.
“These barriers don’t just hinder individual progress, they also affect the integrity of our legal system,” Akingbohungbe remarked. “We must continue to break these barriers to ensure a fair and just society.”
However, Wimbiz’s agenda extends beyond the legal profession to construction industry where they note that women remain woefully underrepresented. Akingbohungbe said,
“The construction industry presents tremendous growth potential for women, but there’s a need for deliberate efforts to remove cultural and systemic barriers preventing their full participation.”
“Trade and construction, property ownership remains another critical area where women face severe challenges. Although women account for 50 percent of the population, their access to property ownership is disproportionately low, exacerbating economic insecurity and limiting long-term wealth generation,” Akingbohungbe added.
She added that sensitization programs were ongoing to help women navigate the often complex process of property acquisition.
“We must ensure that women have equal access to land and property ownership,” said Akingbohungbe. “Property ownership is a key asset in wealth accumulation, and it’s crucial that women are empowered to invest in their futures.”
In addition to these sector-specific initiatives, Wimbiz is also addressing the broader issue of women’s financial inclusion. As part of its ongoing efforts, the organization has launched various programs to teach women about personal finance management, business ownership, and investment opportunities.
Echoing these ideas, Board of Trustees member, Wimbiz, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani discussed the misconceptions surrounding women’s leadership in the corporate world. “There’s a pervasive belief that promoting women into leadership roles is about tokenism,” Akinkugbe-Filani said. “But the data speaks for itself: diverse leadership teams are proven to drive better business results. It’s not about charity—it’s about making good business sense.”
Meanwhile, Wimbiz’s Board Chair Bisi Adeyemi reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to holding stakeholders accountable for gender-inclusive practices.
“We are watching key developments and will continue to advocate for policy changes that ensure women are not left behind,” Adeyemi declared.
She stressed that through these focused initiatives, Wimbiz would help to break down the barriers that have historically restricted women’s participation in critical sectors paving the way for a future where women are empowered to take their rightful places.