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By Vivian Onyebukwa
More than 3,000 women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals gathered at the 24th Annual Conference of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a resounding call for Nigerian women to take charge of their journeys, lead with purpose, and nurture the next generation.
The conference, themed “OWN: Own. Walk. Nurture”, explored three dimensions of leadership and empowerment- owning one’s story, walking in purpose, and nurturing others along the way.
In a keynote speech, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Amina Augie, urged women to rise above self-doubt and societal limitations. “Each of us faces challenges that bring out our uniqueness. If you can recognize that your role is to show the path for others, then you understand that leadership is not about status but about lifting others, she said.”
Justice Augie shared personal stories from her years on the bench, illustrating how mentorship, encouragement, and courage can spark transformation in others. “We are not all called to save the world. But whatever you are called to do, do it with light. A kind word, a smile, or recognition can change someone’s life. That is what it means to nurture the future.”
She urged the participants to walk with power and purpose saying, “Your journey, scars, triumphs, all prepare you to lift someone else. When you light another woman’s candle, your own light doesn’t dim; it shines brighter.”
She lauded WIMBIZ for its continued investment in gender equity research, leadership and board readiness programmes, and its unwavering advocacy for inclusive governance. She further stated that one of WIMBIZ’s greatest achievements is its collective voice that has shaped national conversations around women’s participation in nation building.
In her address, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), urged women to embody leadership that transforms communities and inspires future generations. “To own is to take responsibility; to walk is to lead with courage; and to nurture is to lift others as you rise,” Dr Iweala said. She called for authenticity and accountability in women’s leadership journeys.
Also delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Arunma Oteh, former Treasurer of the World Bank, challenged women to be intentional about shaping their paths and contributing to national development. She noted women’s empowerment as a catalyst for societal progress, describing the Nigeria’s ranking of 143 out of 144 countries in women’s political participation as a wake-up call. Dr Oteh encouraged more women to contest elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying that when women lead, societies thrive.
She further stated that women have been effective leaders in various fields, citing examples of successful women in business and politics.
She said that when women do better, economies do better, and the world becomes a better place for everyone.
She challenged women to embrace deliberate ownership of their personal and collective journeys, linking leadership directly to national development.
She urged women to prepare for the 2027 elections, noting that the men are already organising for 2027. “So, what are you doing in preparation? Are you registered? Do you have your PVCs? How will you ensure your votes count”, she queried.
Drawing from her own journey as a global finance leader, Dr Oteh shared her leadership philosophy anchored on four attributes which include, character, competence, compassion, and courage. According to her, these four C’s define authentic leadership. “They are the same principles that guided me as Treasurer of the World Bank and continue to guide me today,” Dr Oteh stated.
She urged women to invest in self-development, nurture networks, and cultivate excellence as a lifestyle. “Define success on your own terms. No one else can do your push-ups for you. Take responsibility for your life, your purpose, and your impact.”
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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, represented by Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose, at the conference, reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment in both governance and economy.
The governor noted that women now constitute over 40 per cent of the State’s executive council and more than half of its permanent secretaries. “These strides reinforce our belief that when women rise, economies grow; when women lead, communities thrive; and when women own, walk, and nurture, nations transform,” the governor stated.
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, also spoke at the conference, highlighting the importance of tax reform in promoting economic growth and reducing the tax burden on small businesses and low-income earners. He said, “The tax reform is designed to provide relief to the masses and stimulate economic growth. When you own your story, you find out about the credible data because these tax reforms are actually coming to provide a lot of relief to small businesses, low-income earners, reduce the tax for the middle class, and lower the prices of goods and services.”
He lauded WIMBIZ for fostering inclusion and empowerment, describing the organisation as a beacon of authenticity.
Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, reflected on her two-year journey at the helm of the organisation, describing it as amazing and eye opening. She reaffirmed WIMBIZ’s mission to inspire and empower women to attain leadership positions across sectors. She acknowledged the progress made by the organisation, and noted that if bridging the gender gap in leadership were easy, they would have crossed that border already, but the journey continues.
Under her leadership, WIMBIZ has fostered collaboration and advocacy, forming the Women in Leadership Coalition with Women In Successful Careers (WISCAR), and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), targeting at least 35 per cent female representation on corporate boards and in federal and state cabinets.
Akingbohungbe also highlighted the need for progressive labour reforms, including a minimum of 16 weeks maternity leave with full pay and two weeks paternity leave, emphasising that care is a shared responsibility, not just for the woman alone.
Institutional milestones under her tenure include acquiring Women In Management, Business and Public Services WIMBIZ’s headquarters and a hectare of land on the Lekki-Epe Expressway for a future WIMBIZ Resource Facility, ensuring sustainable leadership preparation for women.
Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, delivered a candid reflection on identity, self-acceptance, and authenticity, urging women to silence their inner critics and embrace their God-given worth. She shared her personal journey of struggle and transformation. “By my mid-twenties, I believed that if I couldn’t measure up to my family, how could I add anything to the world? I thought I had no value. I believed that and that was my story’, Olori Atuwatse said.
She continued: “The journey from that anxious young lady to the woman standing before you today is more than a story of personal transformation. It is a testament to the untapped potential within every woman to rewrite her story and create a new chapter at any time.”
She encouraged women to detach identity from external validations like career or marriage, adding that that success should not be the source of silence or insecurity. “You are already capable. You are already enough. It’s time to silence the inner critic, let your light shine brightly, and pull another sister up as you rise. That’s how we’ll change things.”
Newly appointed Chair of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Ebisan Akinsayan, pledged to sustain WIMBIZ’s legacy of impact and expand its influence across Africa. “We intend to deepen our impact and our reach, and to continue being a defining voice for women, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the world”.
Across four plenary sessions, thought leaders shared strategies for economic empowerment, personal development, wellness, and intergenerational collaboration.
The conference also celebrated trailblazing women in law, honouring the First Female President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dame Priscilla Kuye; First Female Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukthar; First Female SAN of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke CON; First Female Chief Judge of High Court of Nigeria, Rose Nonyem Ukeje OFR; and First Deaf Female Lawyer in Nigeria, Catherine Edeh.
