Guardian Woman Festival 2027: Women Advocate for Reciprocity, Care Infrastructure, and Boardroom Inclusion
From the early morning hours, the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, buzzed with anticipation as participants streamed into the venue. Professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers exchanged warm greetings and settled into conversations that reflected both curiosity and ambitious vision. The soft hum of chatter filled the elegant hall, setting the stage for another impactful session of the Guardian Woman Festival, a gathering specifically designed to ignite crucial conversations about women's empowerment and leadership advancement.
The atmosphere seamlessly blended sophistication with purposeful intent. Attendees, many adorned in vibrant and colorful attire, moved fluidly between networking circles and dedicated discussion spaces, embodying the collaborative spirit that has become the hallmark of this annual event. For numerous participants, the festival represented not merely an opportunity for dialogue but a vital platform to exchange innovative ideas, forge strategic partnerships, and significantly amplify women's voices across diverse sectors.
Flexible Structure and Evolving Platform
Chief Executive Officer of The Guardian, Toke Alex-Ibru, described the festival as a deliberate and thoughtful creation of flexible spaces where women can engage meaningfully despite their often overwhelming and demanding schedules. He emphasized that this year's edition holds particular significance as the festival celebrates its third anniversary, having been first launched in March 2024.
Alex-Ibru explained that the initiative's core philosophy is centered on choice and flexibility, a structure that consciously recognizes the complex realities many women navigate while balancing multiple professional and personal responsibilities. "Women are constantly juggling different commitments, and numerous events take place during the month, meaning not everyone can attend the same programme on the same day," he noted.
He elaborated that the month-long framework of the festival allows participants to selectively engage in sessions that align perfectly with their individual schedules, rather than being constrained by a single-day event. Alex-Ibru further highlighted the remarkable evolution of the Guardian Woman platform, which has expanded far beyond its original role as a magazine brand.
"I am pleased to see that the vision behind creating the Guardian Woman title has grown into a dynamic live media platform now known as the Guardian Women Festival," he stated. He stressed that Guardian Woman now transcends traditional publishing, having transformed into an active space for genuine engagement, substantive conversations, and valuable networking. The festival's activities officially commenced with an opening ceremony on March 1, followed by a press conference, and included several partner events focused on finance, wellness, and professional development.
The Principle of Reciprocity in Professional Ecosystems
The keynote address was delivered by Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, who powerfully emphasized the critical importance of reciprocity in building robust professional relationships and sustainable business environments. Ogundare articulated that the discussion aimed to scrutinize both the existing opportunities and limitations within today's economic landscape while simultaneously highlighting practical strategies that individuals and organizations can adopt to strengthen collaborative efforts.
Ogundare elaborated that while reciprocity is commonly understood as a simple system of give and take, in professional contexts it involves the intentional creation of value for others while simultaneously building long-term, enduring trust. "Organizations must begin to prioritise partnerships and knowledge sharing because strong ecosystems are built when individuals intentionally support each other's growth," he asserted.
He underscored that sustainable professional networks are fundamentally dependent on mutual trust and consistent value creation. According to his analysis, relationships constructed purely on transactional foundations often struggle to endure, whereas those rooted in genuine collaboration and shared growth tend to demonstrate remarkable longevity. Ogundare also highlighted the pivotal role of digital transformation in shaping modern business relationships, noting that technological advancement has unlocked new opportunities for cross-industry partnerships, making collaboration increasingly indispensable for business success.
Overcoming Perfectionism and Building Influence
The festival's first panel session, titled 'Women in the Business of Digital Innovation,' meticulously examined how women can fortify their presence in professional and leadership spaces. Ayodeji Alakija-Ajeh, CEO of Women Radio, spoke candidly about the importance of confidence and active participation within professional environments.
She disclosed that early in her career, she frequently remained silent during meetings despite possessing valuable ideas to contribute. "The silence was not because I lacked knowledge but because I was waiting for the perfect moment to speak," she revealed. Alakija-Ajeh explained that many women grapple with the immense pressure to appear flawless before contributing in professional settings, and that this quest for perfection often prevents full participation.
She described her personal transformation, shifting her focus from perfection to contribution, which led her to begin asking questions earlier in meetings and sharing her perspectives more openly. "Over time, colleagues stopped questioning whether I belonged in those spaces because my voice became an integral part of the conversation," she stated. She also elucidated the crucial distinction between authority and influence in leadership, noting that authority can compel action while influence persuasively encourages people to align with a shared vision.
Advocating for a Robust Care Economy
A major presentation during the event focused on the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria's care economy. Blessing Adesiyan, Founder of Caring Africa, described care infrastructure as an essential and non-negotiable component of national economic growth. She explained that her organization was established to address the growing and alarming gap in childcare and caregiving services available to families and institutions.
Adesiyan argued that strengthening care systems will enable significantly more women to participate fully in the workforce. "Nigeria's population growth has made the development of structured care services increasingly urgent," she said, noting that Nigeria is projected to become the world's third most populous country. She stressed that the nation must develop reliable childcare and eldercare systems to adequately meet the needs of families and working professionals.
She highlighted that caregiving arrangements in Nigeria remain largely informal, with many families relying on individuals lacking professional training to look after children and elderly relatives. This situation underscores the pressing need to formalize the sector while creating enforceable standards for caregivers. Adesiyan pointed out that developing structured care services could also generate substantial employment opportunities, professionalizing caregiving roles to create jobs while ensuring better safety and welfare for families. She revealed that efforts are actively ongoing to develop a comprehensive national care policy, with discussions currently taking place with both Lagos State authorities and federal institutions to establish supportive frameworks.
Expanding Women's Presence in Corporate Boardrooms
The second panel session, titled 'Women in the Business of Boardroom Leadership,' rigorously examined strategies to expand women's participation in corporate decision-making. Cynthia Ikponmwosa, Managing Director and CEO of LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, highlighted the profound impact of financial inclusion on women's economic empowerment.
"Empowering women strengthens families while also supporting community development," she affirmed. Ikponmwosa explained that women constitute a substantial majority of the bank's customers, with more than 65 percent of LAPO Microfinance Bank's customer base consisting of women operating small and medium-scale businesses. She emphasized that improving women's access to financial services can dramatically increase their participation in economic activities and stressed the importance of diversity within leadership structures, noting that organizations benefit immensely from diverse leadership teams as different perspectives contribute to superior decision-making.
Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director of WIMBIZ, addressed the critical importance of professional networks in helping women secure coveted boardroom positions. She cited research indicating that a vast majority—over 70 percent—of board appointments are influenced by referrals and nominations through professional networks rather than open applications. Akingbohungbe therefore strongly encouraged women to intentionally and strategically build networks that provide essential mentorship, visibility, and leadership opportunities.
She explained that board membership demands more than mere technical competence; individuals serving on boards must also demonstrate impeccable character, high emotional intelligence, and sharp strategic thinking. Ekemini Akpakpan, Executive Secretary of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), highlighted the persistent structural barriers that have historically limited women's representation in leadership positions.
"Many governance systems were originally created during periods when women had severely limited participation in decision-making processes," she explained. Akpakpan stressed that this historical legacy continues to influence how leadership opportunities are distributed, underscoring the need for deliberate and systemic reforms within institutions to create more inclusive leadership pathways. She called for organizations to rigorously review existing policies and governance structures to ensure they actively support women's advancement into senior roles, emphasizing that collaboration between the private sector, civil society organizations, and policymakers will be absolutely essential in expanding opportunities for women within leadership spaces.
