The Guardian Woman Festival 2026 is poised to redefine how women in Nigeria are gathered, honoured, and empowered. Scheduled to run throughout the entire month of March at the historic Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, this pioneering festival marks a significant evolution in the landscape of women-focused events.
A Strategic Partnership for Deeper Impact
This groundbreaking initiative is the result of a deliberate collaboration between Guardian Woman and the Federal Palace Hotel. This alliance merges media influence with a venue of profound national significance to host Nigeria's first-ever month-long women's festival. The choice of location is symbolic, aligning the progress of women with Nigeria's sovereignty, as the hotel is the very site where the nation's independence was declared.
The extended, month-long format is a strategic departure from traditional one-day events. It is designed to foster sustained engagement, meaningful networking, and tangible collaboration. The goal is to move beyond fleeting inspiration to creating long-term value and actionable outcomes for women across all sectors.
Leadership Insights: The Power of Time and Intention
According to Anita Athena Ibru, Executive Director at Federal Palace Hotel and Chief Strategy Officer, Global, for The Guardian, the extended rollout is central to the festival's value proposition. She emphasizes that the model of "choice, time, and intention" allows women to engage at their own pace without the pressure of conflicting schedules. The 30-day period replaces urgency with access, enabling attendees to participate in focused, digestible experiences—from specialist panels and business conversations to wellness sessions and networking receptions—spread thoughtfully across the month.
Ijeoma Thomas-Odia, Editor of Guardian Woman and Guardian Angels at The Guardian Nigeria, notes the festival's measurable impact in its third year. She observes a shift from mere awareness to substantive influence, with women actively seeking narrative ownership and visibility through the platform. The partnership with Federal Palace Hotel has elevated the festival from a content initiative to a nationally resonant movement, anchoring women's stories within Nigeria's historical legacy of independence and nation-building.
Aligning with "Give to Gain" and Curating High-Value Opportunities
The 2026 festival programming is built around the United Nations Women's theme, "Give to Gain." This philosophy encourages a strategic shift from unconditional giving to intentional investment. The festival aims to equip women with the discernment to channel their energy, ideas, and resources into ventures and collaborations that yield reciprocal growth, influence, and access.
From a partnerships perspective, Uvie Peile, Partnerships Lead for the festival, underscores the focus on curating high-value networks that translate into real-world opportunities. Through intentional sessions like small roundtables, investment conversations, and cross-sector brand showcases, the festival is designed to connect women with decision-makers, investors, and potential collaborators. The aim is for every participant to leave with something concrete—a lead, a partnership, or access to capital.
Oluyemisi Fajimolu, Chief of Staff and Marketing Specialist at Federal Palace Hotel, highlights how the hotel is leveraging its historic legacy to power an empowering experience. The venue's iconic halls are being transformed into platforms for women to amplify their impact. Operationally, the hotel is deploying purpose-designed spaces, curated hospitality experiences, and partnerships with women-led brands to reinforce its position as a catalyst for women's visibility and growth.
For women-led businesses and initiatives, the Guardian Woman Festival 2026 offers a powerful platform for partnerships, visibility, and growth. It positions women not merely as participants but as primary drivers of economic and social progress in Nigeria.
Contact for bookings and advertising: Nathaniel: +234 809 824 7724 or Ijeoma: +234 703 342 2652.
