The 2025 edition of the Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference will hold on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at The Civic Centre, Lagos.

This year’s conference, themed “Claiming Our Future: Women in Leadership and Policy Transformation,” will bring together professional women, policymakers, and private sector leaders to explore how women are shaping the future of governance, business, and national development.

The event will feature a keynote address by Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. Professor Ogunsola’s trailblazing leadership as UNILAG’s first female Vice-Chancellor exemplifies the transformative impact of women in education, policy, and institutional governance in Nigeria.

A major highlight of this year’s conference will be the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP)—an initiative designed to strengthen the pipeline of female leaders within Nigeria’s legal and policy landscape. Through structured mentorship, leadership development, and professional networking, the programme has equipped participants with the confidence and competence to break barriers and excel in their fields.

According to the 2025 PWR Advisory NGX-30 Board Gender Diversity Scorecard, women now occupy 31.1% of board seats among Nigeria’s 30 largest listed companies—98 out of 315 total seats—marking the highest level of female board representation since the report series began. Notably, for the first time, none of the NGX-30 companies has an all-male board. However, broader national data continues to reflect disparities: a World Bank gender study shows that women’s representation in senior leadership positions across Nigerian boardrooms and executive levels ranges between 20 and 27 percent. Similarly, the UN Women Nigeria Country Office (2022) found that women hold only 3.6% of seats in the National Assembly and 16.2% of ministerial positions. These figures underscore the persistent gender gap in leadership and governance—reinforcing WISCAR’s mission to bridge this divide through mentorship, leadership training, and advocacy.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the conference, WISCAR Founder and Chairperson, Amina Oyagbola, emphasized the urgency of converting gender equity commitments into measurable progress.

“Current figures reveal the persistence of deep structural inequities. That is why women are uniting—through WISCAR, WILAN, WIMBIZ, and the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum—as part of a Women in Leadership Coalition to advance a unified agenda: achieving 35% women on boards and in executive management of listed companies, 35% female representation in federal and state cabinets, and advocating for 16 weeks paid maternity leave and 14 days paternity leave. At WISCAR, we believe women’s inclusion is not optional—it is essential. Claiming Our Future is a call to action for every woman to take her rightful place in leadership, governance, and policymaking. When women lead, societies thrive, and nations prosper.”

Over the years, WISCAR’s mentoring initiatives have empowered thousands of professional women to develop clarity, confidence, and career direction. Reflecting on this impact, WISCAR mentee, Omolola Oloye, who works at KPMG shared:

“My WISCAR mentoring journey began at last year’s conference. Being paired with mentors like Oyeyimika Adeboye, CEO of Cadbury Nigeria, and Boma A. Alabi SAN, OON, taught me that time management and strategic networking are key to professional growth. The experience has made me more confident, motivated, and better equipped to navigate my career.”

Notable speakers at this year’s conference include:

  • Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment;
  • Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, Founder, WARIF;
  • Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group;
  • Abubakar Suleiman, CEO, Sterling Bank Plc;
  • Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs;
  • Mr. Charles Usie, Country Director, Plan International Nigeria;
  • Hauwa Haliru-Hassan, CEO, Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum Secretariat;
  • Abosede George-Ogan, Executive Director, Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN);
  • Funke Amobi, Deputy Head of Operations, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc; and
  • Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Nigeria Foundation.

In the build-up to the conference, WISCAR will host its Annual Mentoring Walk on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The walk offers a unique opportunity for mentors and mentees to connect, network, and strengthen professional relationships.

Supported by an impressive roster of partners, with FirstBank of Nigeria as the lead sponsor, this year’s conference also enjoys the generous partnership of Sterling Bank, MTN Foundation, FCMB, Union Bank, Leadway Assurance, Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC, FSDH, Maersk, Dangote Foundation, and APM Terminals—all united in advancing gender inclusion, leadership development, and sustainable nation-building.

Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and developing professional women across Nigeria. Founded with the mission to inspire and enable women to achieve their full potential, WISCAR provides a comprehensive array of programs and initiatives designed to support women’s professional growth and leadership development.

Through mentorship, training, and advocacy, WISCAR equips women with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Its structured mentoring programmes pair emerging female professionals with experienced mentors who offer guidance, support, and valuable industry insights.

By fostering a vibrant community of women leaders, WISCAR not only enhances individual career trajectories but also drives broader societal progress toward gender equality and economic inclusion. Through partnerships with corporations, government institutions, and civil society, WISCAR continues to champion policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion in leadership and the workplace.

Since inception, WISCAR has empowered over 17,000 professionals with the tools to navigate their careers, inspire change, and contribute to nation-building.