Women urged to groom next generation female leaders

By Henry Uche

Accomplished women across sectors have been urged to invest their knowledge, experience and influence in mentoring and empowering younger women for sustainable progress, stronger institutions and a more inclusive future.

Panellists at the Women Directors’ Luncheon of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD) in Lagos, who gave this charge, reminded women that one cannot give what one does not have.

They urged young women, including students, to submit themselves to mentorship, training and deliberate study from reputable women in society to enable them to manage resources and tackle future challenges head-on.

While acknowledging the impact of women in every society as the world commemorates the 2026 International Women’s Day, they added that women’s presence in any sphere of life makes a huge difference, hence the need for women to aim higher and groom future leaders. “Collective success is far greater than individual achievements. When women gain, everyone gains; women should support women in every good endeavour of life,” they implored.

In a keynote address, the President of Woodhall Capital Limited, Mrs Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, echoed that the most powerful capital any society possesses is human capital, hence the need to develop human capacity for the promotion of strong corporate governance and ethical leadership across the board.

With the theme, “Give to Gain: Leadership, Mentoring and Impact”, Hunponu-Wusu explained that leadership goes beyond self-achievements to what leaders make possible for others.

“Let us build on the philosophy of ‘building beyond ourselves’. Credibility begins at home. When we build strong institutions locally, the world will eventually recognise and trust them.

“Mentorship, however, cannot stop with young people. Collaboration among women leaders creates a multiplier effect for opportunity. True leadership must create pathways for others.”

She maintained that the most enduring leaders are not those who simply reach the top, but those who make it easier for others to rise. Moreover, impact is not only measured in governance metrics or corporate performance, but by the number of leaders one helps to create.

“If every woman director commits to mentoring a few emerging leaders every year, within a decade, the ripple effect would be extraordinary — new leaders across industries, new entrepreneurs building companies, new voices shaping policy and governance.

“That is how real transformation happens. Not through isolated success stories, but through the intentional multiplication of leadership. Leadership is not only about breaking ceilings. It is about building ladders — ladders that others can climb, ladders that connect generations and ladders that make opportunity accessible.”

She posited that when a leader gives through mentorship, sponsorship and opportunity, such a leader does not diminish in any way. “We expand our impact, and in doing so, we gain something far greater than success; we gain legacy,” she assured.

On his part, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD, Mr Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, highlighted that leadership is not merely about occupying positions of authority, but about building people, shaping institutions and leaving systems stronger.

Though women can be found across boardrooms, public institutions and enterprises, demonstrating exceptional leadership and bringing diverse perspectives, ethical stewardship and long-term thinking to governance, Oyebanji reminded Nigerians that the journey towards full representation and influence in leadership spaces is still ongoing.

CIoD’s president stressed that mentorship and sponsorship are among the most powerful tools available to leaders, enabling them to convert personal achievement into collective progress and ensure that leadership excellence is sustained across generations.

“Use every opportunity for connection, networking, knowledge sharing and mentorship to guide and support the next generation. When leaders choose to give by sharing knowledge, providing access, sponsoring emerging talent and investing in others, the benefits multiply far beyond individual success; they strengthen institutions, transform industries and uplift communities.

“We remain firmly committed to promoting inclusive leadership, strong corporate governance and sustainable value creation across all sectors of our economy. Empowering women in leadership is, therefore, not merely a social aspiration; it is a governance imperative and a catalyst for national development.”

He encouraged accomplished leaders to continue to mentor intentionally, support generously and lead with purpose, ensuring that the pathways to leadership remain open and accessible for the next generation of women directors.

“Ultimately, the true measure of leadership lies not only in what we achieve personally, but in how many others we empower to succeed,” he added.