The 14th edition of the Inspiring Women Africa (IWA) conference in Lagos became a powerful platform for redefining female leadership, with a clarion call from a former head of state for women to dismantle societal barriers.
A Presidential Charge: Own Your Voice, Tell Your Story
Madam Sahle-Work Zewde, the former President of Ethiopia, delivered a stirring keynote address, drawing from her 29-year diplomatic career and historic tenure as her country's first female president. She centered her message on the power of self-advocacy, stating that the constraints women face are frequently artificial and must be confronted.
"If a woman doesn't talk about herself, doesn't tell her story, nobody will," Zewde asserted. She encouraged the audience of influential women and industry leaders from across Africa to speak boldly about their journeys, strengths, and contributions, framing narrative ownership as a critical tool for change.
The conference, themed ‘Leadership redefined: charting new paths to excellence’, was convened by celebrated journalist and IWA Group Founder, Kemi Ajumobi. It served to honour her 14-year dedication to building a platform that amplifies women's voices through media, advocacy, and storytelling.
Nigerian Perspectives on Resilience and Digital Empowerment
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, commended the resilience and innovation of Nigerian women across various sectors. She linked the conference theme to a rapidly transforming world, urging women to embrace leadership rooted in empathy, service, and accountability.
She detailed the ministry's initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, specifically promoting the Happy Women’s App. Described as more than just an application, she called it "a gateway to dignity, safety and support" offering verified information, economic opportunities, mental wellbeing support, and legal guidance.
To mark the conference's 14th year, the minister outlined the "14 Ps of excellence," a blueprint for personal and national advancement that includes purpose, passion, perseverance, and punctuality.
Panels Explore Leadership Across Sectors
The event featured deep-dive discussions across three panel sessions, pulling expertise from diverse fields like technology, law, energy, banking, and entertainment.
The first panel, 'Excellence in Action: I Am Committed to Lead,' featured senior leaders such as Chinwe Iloghalu, Acting MD/CEO of Nova Bank, and was moderated by Ozim Ibeziako of GE Vernova.
The second, 'Visionary Leadership in Transformative Times,' gathered experts from finance and power, moderated by Nairametrics CEO Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu.
The final conversation, 'Empowered for Excellence: I Am Driving Change,' brought together leaders from corporate, legal, energy, and entrepreneurial sectors, capping a day dedicated to charting actionable paths for women's leadership in Africa.
