IWS President Ifemena Oji Champions Women's Economic Empowerment Through Strategic Partnerships
Newly inaugurated President of the International Women Society (IWS), Ifemena Oji, has unveiled an ambitious leadership agenda centered on women's economic empowerment, strategic partnerships, and stronger internal community-building. During her investiture ceremony at the Ballroom of Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, Oji declared that the time had come to move from conversation to construction in advancing women's progress across Nigeria and beyond.
From Advocacy to Action: A New Leadership Vision
Speaking with what she described as humility, gratitude, and a clear sense of purpose, Oji accepted her role under the theme The Power of Now: Honouring our Legacy, Mobilizing for the Future. She paid tribute to outgoing executives for their stewardship while framing her emergence against the larger backdrop of women's economic participation and the structural barriers that continue to limit scale and opportunity for many women-led enterprises.
"Around the world, there is no longer any doubt about the importance of women's economic participation," Oji stated. "When women thrive economically, families become more stable, communities become stronger, and economies grow." However, she argued that many women still operate within systems that restrict their ability to scale, access capital, and fully realize the potential of their businesses.
The Momentum Program: A Practical Model for Empowerment
Central to Oji's vision is Momentum, a program she described as a practical model for women's empowerment that reflects an understanding that women entrepreneurs need more than encouragement. According to her detailed explanation, the initiative will provide:
- Access to essential business skills and training
- Connection to viable markets and networks
- Pathways to capital and investment readiness
- Operational capacity strengthening for sustainable growth
Oji emphasized that the true measure of success would not be in statistics alone, but in the transformation of women's lives, stronger businesses, more job creation, and improved economic security for families and communities throughout Nigeria.
Three Pillars of Leadership
Outlining the priorities that will define her tenure, Oji said her administration would focus on three key pillars:
- Deepening programs that support women's economic empowerment through practical initiatives
- Strengthening strategic partnerships that expand access to markets and investment opportunities
- Building a stronger community within the society through mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning
In one of the defining lines of her speech, Oji stated: "Our work cannot stop at advocacy alone. Advocacy must be accompanied by action. Action must be supported by structure. And structure must lead to measurable outcomes." She positioned the International Women Society as a bridge between women entrepreneurs and the ecosystem of support required for sustainable growth.
Call for Collaborative Progress
Oji stressed that no single institution could drive such progress in isolation, calling instead for deeper collaboration across the private sector, development institutions, investors, and civil society organizations. "Real progress requires partnership," she emphasized, noting that the International Women Society was uniquely positioned to serve as a connector within that ecosystem.
She urged IWS members to remain actively engaged in shaping the future of the organization by mentoring, collaborating, and opening doors for others. "Progress is rarely achieved in isolation. It is achieved through networks of support and shared commitment," she reminded the gathering.
Message to Younger Women Leaders
Beyond the membership of the society, Oji directed part of her message to younger women building businesses or searching for direction, telling them that leadership is not reserved for a privileged few. Rather, she emphasized that leadership is built through courage, preparation, and persistence, especially when backed by the right support systems and opportunities.
The newly inaugurated president concluded by reaffirming her commitment to translating advocacy into measurable outcomes for women, particularly entrepreneurs seeking access to skills, markets, networks, and capital. Her administration's focus on practical empowerment initiatives represents a significant shift toward tangible results in women's economic advancement across Nigeria.
