Tangerine Insurance's Women's Month: From Prison Outreach to Leadership Symposium
In March, as organizations worldwide commemorated International Women's Day, Tangerine Insurance distinguished itself by moving beyond mere symbolic gestures. The company crafted a compelling, two-part initiative that seamlessly blended empathy with strategic action and advocacy, creating a meaningful impact that resonated deeply.
Empathy in Action: Visiting the Female Correctional Centre
On March 16, the focus shifted from corporate boardrooms to the often-overlooked Female Correctional Centre in Idi Araba, Lagos. The Tangerine Women Community, spearheaded by members of the Human Resources team, embarked on a visit anchored in the global theme "Give to Gain." This was not just an outreach program; it was a powerful statement of solidarity and support.
Representatives including Glory Awodu from Tangerine General Insurance, Caroline Duru from Tangerine Life Insurance, and Kemi Ipinnaye from THT, along with other notable women across the Tangerine Group, arrived with carefully tailored care packages. More importantly, they brought an enduring presence of dignity and warmth. They listened attentively, offered encouragement, and forged genuine connections with the residents.
In an environment where many women are often defined by their past mistakes, Tangerine chose to affirm their future potential. The atmosphere was one of shared humanity rather than charity, highlighting that Corporate Social Responsibility for Tangerine is a lived experience, not merely a checkbox on a corporate agenda.
Transforming Narratives: The "Inspiring Inclusion" Symposium
Just two days later, on March 18, Tangerine convened a high-level symposium titled "Inspiring Inclusion." This event brought together thought leaders, executives, and professionals to address one of Africa's most pressing paradoxes: despite near-equal access to education, why do so few women ascend to leadership positions?
The symposium opened with a welcome address by Temitope Adewale, Executive Director of Tangerine General Insurance. She celebrated the women of Tangerine and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to their growth and advancement. Adewale emphasized the importance of guidance and shared experiences, urging women to take ownership of their journeys by supporting one another and inspiring collective progress.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, OON, Independent Director at Odu'a Investment Company Limited, presented a stark reality. While Africa achieves 98% gender parity in education, women's representation in executive leadership plummets to between 7% and 20%. She termed this phenomenon the "Leaky Pipeline," attributing it to structural and cultural barriers rather than a lack of competence. Olaniyan highlighted obstacles such as domestic expectations and exclusion from informal corporate networks, stressing that progress requires intentional action. "Women must support women. We must mentor, we must speak up, and we must actively pull others along," she asserted.
The discussion quickly pivoted to economic imperatives, with data revealing that advancing gender equality could contribute up to $316 billion to Africa's GDP. This underscored that inclusion is not only a moral obligation but a business necessity.
A dynamic panel session featuring Dr. Sharon Faqua, Titilope Oguntuga, Ifedayo Durosimi-Etti, and Osato Ogiamien, moderated by Moyo Awopegba, ESG Manager at Tangerine, expanded the dialogue. They offered practical insights on leadership, confidence, and visibility, challenging women to embrace risk, own their voices, and redefine leadership on their own terms. The presence of senior leaders like Kehinde Borisade, Managing Director of Tangerine Life Insurance, and Ademayowa Adeduro, Managing Director of Tangerine General Insurance, further emphasized the event's significance.
Tonye Ukpong, Managing Director/CEO of Total Health Trust (THT), delivered a reflective closing remark. She described the session as deeply insightful and personally resonant, encouraging women to build strong support systems and find their tribe. Ukpong shared her own journey to executive leadership, stating, "You do not negotiate at the top if you do not have what to give at the top."
A Cohesive Message of Empowerment
Across both initiatives, a clear pattern emerged. On March 16, Tangerine demonstrated that inclusion must extend to the margins, offering care and compassion to women in vulnerable circumstances. On March 18, it showed that inclusion must also reshape the center by challenging systemic barriers and creating pathways for women to rise.
Together, these efforts formed a cohesive message: true empowerment is both external and internal. It involves lifting others while building structures that enable more women to thrive. Beyond Women's Month, Tangerine's impact continues to advance the global conversation on inclusion. From the correctional centre in Idi Araba to the corporate stage, the organization proved that when purpose meets action, impact is inevitable. This sets a compelling precedent for the future of business and society, shaped by those bold enough to live inclusion, not just speak about it.
