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SEYI TAIWO-OGUNTUASE

 Come Saturday November 29, the Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference will bring together leaders from the public, private, and development sectors to explore practical strategies for translating policies into action and advancing women’s leadership and inclusion in governance.

Amina Oyagbola, WISCAR’s Founder and Chairperson while briefing newsmen in Lagos on the forthcoming conference, slated to hold at the Civic Centre, Lagos, with the theme; ‘Claiming Our Future: Women in Leadership and Policy Transformation,’ will focus on translating Nigeria’s gender equity frameworks—such as the National Gender Policy and the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy—into measurable action that strengthens accountability and builds inclusive systems.

 “This year’s gathering is not just another dialogue; it is a platform for collaboration, accountability, and real policy transformation,” Oyagbola said.

According to her, the theme reflects WISCAR’s conviction that women are not just participants in national development but “architects of transformation” whose leadership can reshape institutions and governance.

 Oyagbola, explained that the conference is taking place at a defining moment for Nigeria, as the country stands at a crossroads politically, socially, and economically—where inclusive governance has become essential for sustainable progress.

She observed that while Nigeria has made renewed commitments to gender equality, structural inequities persist.

According to her, currently, women occupy only 16.7 percent of federal cabinet positions and less than 10 percent of elected offices nationwide.

“At the state and local government levels, only Kwara and Kaduna have achieved gender-balanced executive councils, while the proportion of women chairing local governments has dropped to 3.7 percent, down from 10 percent before local government autonomy reforms.

She noted, however, that the corporate sector has recorded significant progress, with women now occupying 31.1 percent of board seats across companies listed in the NGX30, the highest figure in six years, stressing that all top-30 firms now have at least one woman on their board, and five are led by female chief executives — a first in Nigeria’s business history.

“These milestones demonstrate that when policy frameworks are coupled with accountability and leadership intent, tangible progress follows,” she said.

Beyond the statistics, Oyagbola stressed that women’s inclusion in leadership is not merely a gender issue but a governance imperative tied to national development.

 “Advancing women’s representation is not a women’s agenda alone. It is a collective imperative that requires the commitment and participation of both men and women working together in our shared interest.”

Speaking further she said that a major highlight of the 2025 conference will be the graduation of 105 mentees from WISCAR’s pioneering Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP), supported by the Gates Foundation.

 Oyagbola, described the initiative as a model for strengthening women’s leadership in the legal and justice sectors, adding that WISCAR plans to replicate the mentorship structure in other fields such as engineering, finance, and media.

“The WILMP model shows how structured mentoring can transform professional development and position women to take on influential roles in shaping justice and policy. Mentorship is not just a career tool—it is a national development strategy.”

The conference will feature an impressive lineup of speakers and participants drawn from across sectors. Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, will deliver the keynote address, while goodwill messages will come from Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Dr. Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Founder of WARIF; and Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Oyagbola, reaffirmed the organisation’s membership in the Women in Leadership Coalition, alongside WIMBIZ, WILAN, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, collectively advancing key gender reforms nationwide.