Women leaders drawn from government, civil society organisations, and the private sector have renewed calls for greater female representation in leadership and decision-making positions, emphasising that inclusive leadership is essential for sustainable development, economic growth, and national prosperity.
Call for Inclusive Leadership
The call was made in Abuja during the Women in Leadership Cross-Sector Convening, a gathering designed to strengthen collaboration among women leaders and advance gender inclusion across key sectors of society. Participants argued that increasing the number of women in leadership roles would not only promote equity but also improve governance outcomes and accelerate national development.
Founder and Executive Director of the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), Abosede George-Ogan, stated that the initiative seeks to create stronger partnerships among women leaders while advocating for greater representation of women in boardrooms, public institutions, and political offices where critical decisions are made. She noted that despite progress over the years, women continue to face barriers that limit their participation in leadership and governance.
“We must amplify women’s voices and promote female representation across all sectors. Leadership inclusion is not a charity; it is a strategic approach for national growth,” she said.
Dismantling Institutional Barriers
Earlier, the Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, urged policymakers and stakeholders to take deliberate steps towards dismantling institutional barriers that hinder women’s participation in leadership, adding that empowering women remains critical to achieving inclusive development.
Similarly, the newly appointed Executive Director at the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Olaniyi Benjamins, stressed the importance of creating pathways that allow more women to contribute meaningfully to governance and public administration.
Representatives of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) also emphasised the importance of creating enabling environments that support women’s advancement into leadership positions.
Workplace Reforms and Mentorship
Speakers at the convening highlighted the need for workplace reforms, structured mentorship programmes, and gender-responsive budgeting to address systemic challenges facing women and ensure that public policies and resources adequately reflect their needs.
Participants maintained that nations thrive when women are actively involved in leadership and decision-making processes, noting that diverse perspectives often result in more effective and inclusive policies.
Speaking on the broader impact of women’s leadership, Uju Okorocha said increasing female representation across sectors would strengthen institutions, enhance accountability, and contribute significantly to national development.
The women leaders therefore called for collective action by government, private sector organisations, development partners, and civil society groups to expand opportunities for women and ensure they have a stronger voice at every level of governance and society.
