Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) concluded its 2025 Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference, a landmark gathering that reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening women’s leadership, driving policy reform, and accelerating national transformation.
Held at The Civic Centre, Lagos, the conference brought together policymakers, business leaders, development partners, civil society actors, and emerging professionals who engaged in insightful dialogues and engagement under the theme, “Claiming Our Future: Women in Leadership and Policy Transformation.”
The conference recorded the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including the CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman; Edward Fagbohun, Head of Programme Implementation, MTN Nigeria Foundation; Abosede George-Ogan, Executive Director, WILAN; Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, Channels TV; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade & Industry represented by Teju Abisoye, Special Adviser (Office of the Honourable Minister) and National Coordinator - National Talent Export Programme; Hauwa Haliru, Director of Gender Affairs, Nigeria Governor’s Forum; Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO, NESG; Funke Amobi, Deputy Head, Operations, Stanbic IBTC; Dr. Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Founder, WARIF; Folake Ani-Munney, Founder & Partner Arcadia Advisory Africa; Charles Usie, Country Director PLAN International; Alison Varco, Women In Leadership Division, Gates Foundation; WISCAR Mentors; and Members of the WISCAR Advisory Board. Their attendance underscored the growing national consensus that women’s leadership is central to Nigeria’s political stability, economic growth, and institutional advancement.
In his opening remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo Olu who was represented by Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening gender-responsive governance and supporting institutions like WISCAR that are shaping the next generation of female leaders. “Lagos State remains committed to building an inclusive and competitive economy where women’s leadership is recognised as a strategic national asset. We are proud to support platforms like WISCAR that are shaping the future of governance and professional excellence.”
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and 2025 Distinguished WISCAR Awardee reflected on the transformative power of purposeful female leadership. She emphasised that Nigeria’s progress depends on creating enabling systems where women can lead, influence, and innovate at scale, noting: “Nigeria’s future cannot be built without women at the decision-making table. When women lead, institutions become stronger, communities become safer, and societies become more prosperous. Our work and impact continue to demonstrate that women are essential to Nigeria’s progress.”
A key milestone of the event was the graduation of the first cohort of the Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP), a transformative initiative implemented in collaboration with FIDA Nigeria. Developed to address the critical gaps in women’s representation and leadership within Nigeria’s legal and public sector ecosystem, the programme equipped 105 mid-career legal professionals with a robust blend of structured mentorship, leadership training, and exposure to policy and justice sector reforms. Rooted in the urgent need to strengthen women’s capacity to champion, implement, and enforce gender equitable laws and policies, this pilot graduation marks a significant step toward building a strong pipeline of female leaders who can help shape Nigeria’s judiciary, legislature, executive arm of government, and legal practice. Beyond its immediate impact, WILMP establishes a scalable model that WISCAR intends to expand to other sectors such as engineering, media, and finance, deepening its mission to accelerate gender equality and strengthen governance across Nigeria.
In her address, Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, underscored that gender inclusion is both a national and economic imperative. “For seventeen years, WISCAR has equipped women with the competence, confidence, and courage to lead. Beyond empowerment, we must claim our future through leadership, accountability, and collective action. Global evidence shows that closing gender gaps in labour participation could add USD 28 trillion to global GDP, and Africa could gain USD 316 billion by 2030 by increasing women’s economic participation. Companies with gender-diverse leadership are also more profitable, more innovative, and better governed,” she said.
The conference further amplified the bold, collective agenda of the Nigeria Women in Leadership Coalition, comprising WISCAR, WIMBIZ, WILAN, and the Nigeria Governors Forum. United by a shared vision for systemic transformation, the coalition is advocating for three critical national reforms: 35% female representation in federal and state cabinets, 35% women on boards and in executive management of listed companies, and the adoption of a modern labour policy guaranteeing at least 16 weeks paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave by 2027. These reforms, which have been endorsed and embraced by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Dr Nkiruka Onyejeocha, are essential to building institutions that reflect Nigeria’s talent, diversity, and governance aspirations.
The 2025 ALMC also celebrated excellence and allyship through two institutional recognitions. The Ambassador Abdullahi & Amina Atta HeForShe Award was established to honour a distinguished male ally annually who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to gender equity. The 2025 Professor Grace Alele-Williams Alumni Impact Award was presented to WISCAR Alumni Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters, Founder, PAWEN, in recognition of her outstanding leadership, integrity, sector-wide transformative contributions, and paying forward the WISCAR ideals of mentorship.
With over 17,000 women empowered since inception, WISCAR continues to serve as a catalyst for national transformation. The insights and recommendations emerging from the 2025 conference will feed directly into its advocacy engagements ensuring that the momentum generated at the conference and through public sector engagements by the WIL coalition translate into sustained institutional impact.
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.
To read the Women in Law Mentoring Programme needs assessment report, please visit https://bit.ly/WILMPNeedsAssessmentReport
To purchase The WISCAR Mentoring Book visit https://wiscar.ng/wiscar-mentoring-book2/#