WISCAR calls for transformative leadership

…As 105 mentees graduate from women in law programme

The Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) has called for a transformative leadership that converts gender equity frameworks into measurable, enforceable systems across governance, law, business, and civil society.

The Founder and Chairperson, WISCAR, Mrs Amina Oyagbola, made the call during a press briefing on WISCAR’s 2025 Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference billed to hold on November 29, at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

Themed: “Claiming Our Future – Women in Leadership and Policy Transformation,” Mrs Amina Oyagbola, Founder and chairperson, WISCAR noted that the conference convenes at a defining moment for women’s leadership, policy reform, and national transformation.

Oyagbola also disclosed that a major highlight of this year’s conference will be the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP), supported by the Gates Foundation.

“This milestone marks a significant step in WISCAR’s work to strengthen women’s leadership in law and governance. We are proud to be graduating 105 mentees from this pioneering programme, each equipped with the tools, confidence, and professional networks to lead reform within the legal profession and beyond.

The WILMP model demonstrates how structured mentoring can transform professional development and position women to take on influential roles in shaping justice and policy. It is a model we intend to replicate across other sectors such as engineering, finance, and media, proving that mentorship is not just a career tool but a national development strategy.”

She explained that Nigeria stands at a crossroads politically, socially, and economically, where inclusive governance has become essential for sustainable progress.

“ Recent commitments at national and institutional levels have reaffirmed gender equity as a cornerstone of development, with renewed focus on implementing the National Gender Policy, strengthening Women’s Economic Empowerment initiatives, and achieving at least 35 percent female representation in political and public leadership by 2027.

She argued that current figures reveal the persistence of deep structural inequities.

“Only 16.7% of federal cabinet positions are held by women, while women occupy under 10 percent of elected offices nationwide.

“Subnationally, just two of Nigeria’s 36 states, Kwara and Kaduna, have achieved gender-balanced executive councils, and women hold only 3.7% of local government chairmanships, down from 10 percent before LGA autonomy reforms.”

She however viewed that in the corporate sector, there are signs of progress, as women now occupy 31.1% of board seats across the NGX30, marking a six-year high, with every top-30 company including at least one woman on its board. Five of these companies are led by female CEOs, a first in Nigeria’s business history. These milestones demonstrate that where policy frameworks are coupled with accountability and leadership intent, tangible progress follows.”

Against this backdrop, Oyagbola noted that WISCAR’s 2025 conference challenges leaders to move from policy to practice, bridging the gap between commitment and action.

“As the world celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, WISCAR calls for transformative leadership that converts gender equity frameworks into measurable, enforceable systems across governance, law, business, and civil society.”

She said women’s leadership and inclusion is a governance issue, one that lies at the heart of sustainable development and national progress, pointing out that advancing women’s representation is not a women’s agenda alone but a collective imperative that requires the commitment and participation of both men and women working together in our shared interest.

“At WISCAR, we believe that women are not just participants in nation building; they are architects of transformation. “Claiming Our Future” is a call to action for every woman to take her rightful place in leadership, governance, and policymaking. When women lead, societies thrive and nations prosper.

“For 17 years, WISCAR has championed a singular vision to empower women with the competence, confidence, and courage to lead. This year’s theme reminds us that the future we seek will not be handed to us; we must claim it through leadership, mentorship, and collective action.

“Women have always been the backbone of our communities, but it is time we also become the visible face of leadership and governance. At WISCAR, we are building a generation of women who will not only dream of a better future but design and deliver it.

“This year’s conference will convene leaders from the public, private, and development sectors to discuss practical strategies for moving from policy to implementation. The goal is to strengthen accountability, build inclusive systems, and translate Nigeria’s gender equity frameworks, including the National Gender Policy and the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, into measurable action. It is not just another dialogue; it is a platform for collaboration, accountability, and real policy transformation.”

She disclosed that the 2025 confrence will feature Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, as keynote speaker. “Her distinguished career and leadership embody the spirit of our theme, a woman who has claimed her space and is transforming an institution with excellence, courage, and integrity. Her address will set the tone for the day, providing a vision of what is possible when women lead with purpose, and the subsequent panel session will translate that vision into actionable pathways for reform.

“This year’s conference will also feature goodwill messages from Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Dr. Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Founder of WARIF; and Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, all influential voices shaping Nigeria’s development agenda. The keynote panel will bring together a dynamic mix of leaders including Abubakar Suleiman, CEO, Sterling Bank Limited; Funke Amobi, Deputy Head Of Operations, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Nigeria Foundation; Abosede George-Ogan, Executive Director, Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN); and Hauwa Haliru-Hassan, CEO, Nigeria Governors Spouse Forum Secretariat who are translating gender inclusion from policy to practice and driving reform, accountability, and inclusive leadership across sectors.

“As part of our commitment to promoting inclusive leadership, we are proud to introduce the Ambassador and Mrs. A. I. Atta HeForShe Award for Integrity, Leadership, and Allyship, which celebrates male allies who lead with integrity and actively champion gender inclusion. This recognition underscores that the advancement of women’s leadership is not a women’s cause alone but a shared mission that requires partnership between men and women working together to achieve collective progress.

“In the same spirit, the conference will celebrate WISCAR alumnae through the Prof. Grace Alele-Williams Alumni Impact Award, honouring outstanding graduates who exemplify leadership excellence and are driving transformation within their fields. These recognitions reflect WISCAR’s belief that leadership thrives when excellence, integrity, and collaboration work hand in hand to advance a common purpose.
“Building on this vision of shared responsibility, WISCAR acknowledges that sustainable progress requires collective advocacy beyond its own programmes and networks. Across Nigeria, women are uniting as a powerful force for progress through the Women in Leadership Coalition, which brings together WILAN, WIMBIZ, WISCAR, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Together, we are advancing a unified agenda focused on three critical reforms that will strengthen gender equity nationwide. These include a modern labour reform that guarantees 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave, a healthy balance in corporate leadership with at least 35% women on Boards and in Executive Management of listed companies, and gender-responsive governance with 35% female representation in federal and state cabinets. These reforms are essential to achieving genuine gender balance and building institutions that reflect the diversity, competence, and leadership potential of our nation. WISCAR is proud to stand as part of this coalition, championing policy transformation that makes equity not only an aspiration but a measurable pillar of governance and national growth.
“After 17 years of mentoring and advocacy, WISCAR continues to be inspired by the determination of Nigerian women who lead, innovate, and excel despite systemic barriers. Yet we remain aware that empowerment alone is not enough.

True transformation requires accountability, reforming the institutions that shape opportunity, and ensuring that inclusion becomes a measurable pillar of national progress.

“Our efforts extend beyond this conference. The insights and recommendations from the Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference will feed directly into our Policy Advocacy Briefs, Leadership Labs, and mentorship curriculum, ensuring that every conversation translates into measurable outcomes and sustained institutional accountability.”