WISCAR sets new benchmark for Nigerian women’s leadership, policy reform

…graduates the first cohort of WILMP in 2025 conference

At a time when Nigeria is seeking inclusive leadership, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) is stepping into the gap, empowering women to take their place at decision-making tables, changing leadership landscape with transformative programmes, and renewed focus on policy reform.

This was made known by Amina Oyagbola, the founder and chairperson of WISCAR, in her address at the 2025 edition of the annual conference, when she emphasised that gender inclusion is both a national and economic imperative.

“For seventeen years, WISCAR has equipped women with the competence, confidence, and courage to lead. Beyond empowerment, we must claim our future through leadership, accountability, and collective action.

“Global evidence shows that closing gender gaps in labour participation could add $28 trillion to global GDP, and Africa could gain $316 billion by 2030 by increasing women’s economic participation. Companies with gender-diverse leadership are also more profitable, more innovative, and better governed,” she said.

Folasade Ogunsola vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, in her keynote address at the 2025 Distinguished WISCAR Awardee reflected on the transformative power of purposeful female leadership.

Ogunsola emphasised that Nigeria’s progress depends on creating enabling systems where women can lead, influence, and innovate at scale, noting:

“Nigeria’s future cannot be built without women at the decision-making table. When women lead, institutions become stronger, communities become safer, and societies become more prosperous. Our work and impact continue to demonstrate that women are essential to Nigeria’s progress,” she said.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, represented by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, secretary to the Lagos State government, in his remarks, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening gender-responsive governance and supporting institutions like WISCAR that are shaping the next generation of female leaders.

“Lagos State remains committed to building an inclusive and competitive economy where women’s leadership is recognised as a strategic national asset.

“We are proud to support platforms like WISCAR that are shaping the future of governance and professional excellence,” he said.

The conference further amplified the bold, collective agenda of the Nigeria Women in Leadership Coalition, comprising WISCAR, WIMBIZ, WILAN, and the Nigeria Governors Forum.

United by a shared vision for systemic transformation, the coalition is advocating for three critical national reforms: 35 percent female representation in federal and state cabinets, 35 percent women on boards and in executive management of listed companies, and the adoption of a modern labour policy guaranteeing at least 16 weeks paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave by 2027.

These reforms, which have been endorsed and embraced by Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the minister of State for Labour and Employment, are essential to building institutions that reflect Nigeria’s talent, diversity, and governance aspirations.

The 2025 ALMC also celebrated excellence and allyship through two institutional recognitions. The Ambassador Abdullahi & Amina Atta HeForShe Award was established to honour a distinguished male ally annually who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to gender equity.

The 2025 Grace Alele-Williams Alumni Impact Award was presented to Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters, a WISCAR alumni, and founder of PAWEN, in recognition of her outstanding leadership, integrity, sector-wide transformative contributions, and paying forward the WISCAR ideals of mentorship.

A key milestone of the event under the theme, “Claiming Our Future: Women in Leadership and Policy Transformation” was the graduation of the first cohort of the Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP), a transformative initiative implemented in collaboration with FIDA Nigeria. Developed to address the critical gaps in women’s representation and leadership within Nigeria’s legal and public sector ecosystem.

The programme equipped 105 mid-career legal professionals with a robust blend of structured mentorship, leadership training, and exposure to policy and justice sector reforms.

Rooted in the urgent need to strengthen women’s capacity to champion, implement, and enforce gender equitable laws and policies, this pilot graduation marks a significant step toward building a strong pipeline of female leaders who can help shape Nigeria’s judiciary, legislature, executive arm of government, and legal practice.

Beyond its immediate impact, WILMP establishes a scalable model that WISCAR intends to expand to other sectors such as engineering, media, and finance, deepening its mission to accelerate gender equality and strengthen governance across Nigeria.

WISCAR 2025 Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference, was a landmark gathering that reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening women’s leadership, driving policy reform, and accelerating national transformation.

The conference brought together policymakers, business leaders, development partners, civil society actors, and emerging professionals who engaged in insightful dialogues and engagement.

The conference recorded the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Abubakar Suleiman, the CEO of Sterling Bank; Edward Fagbohun, head of programme implementation at MTN Nigeria Foundation; Abosede George-Ogan, executive director at WILAN; Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, Channels Television; Jumoke Oduwole, minister of trade and industry represented by Teju Abisoye, special adviser at the Office of the Minister. and national coordinator at National Talent Export Programme, among others.

Their attendance underscored the growing national consensus that women’s leadership is central to Nigeria’s political stability, economic growth, and institutional advancement.

WISCAR is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and developing professional women across Nigeria. With over 17,000 women empowered since inception, WISCAR continues to serve as a catalyst for national transformation.

Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years.

He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team.

Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.

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