It was a breathtaking event last week, as hundreds of female mavericks began their ascent into the world of African music, as they cocktailed with global record company, Sony Music, at its debut women-themed festival dubbed, “In Her Element”.
The annual edutainment experience, packaged by its Marketing & Events Lead, Lola Ige, featured a host of activities including a music business workshop, live music performance showcase, and an exclusive industry mixer, held between last Thursday and Friday, respectively.
“My first choice of action would be intentional visibility and access. It’s one thing to say we support women, it’s another to actively create platforms that showcase their work, fund their ideas, and give them a seat at the table—without compromise,” Chef Tilewa Odedina, founder of online food-hailing business, Foodcourt, said as the panel sessions opened conversation on the “Future of work: content creation, remote working and entrepreneurship”.
In another panel on “Industry Insights: Scaling Your Career”, another speaker, Kikelola Ojewale, a partner and Head of Media, Sports and Entertainment at Dentons ACAS-law, expressed that core values like ownership, collaboration and resilience are important for women trying to scale in today’s hyper-paced world.
“Women need to own their narratives, their work, and their financial stakes in creative industries. This means pushing for equity in deals, demanding fair compensation, and ensuring that women are not just participants but decision-makers.
“(Also) the best way to rise is together. I prioritize sharing knowledge, and creating networks that allow us to support one another rather than compete for limited seats at the table. (And, lastly,) breaking ceilings comes with resistance. I believe in being prepared, informed, and strategic in navigating challenges. It’s not just about pushing forward but doing so in a way that ensures lasting impact,” she said.
In the third panel dubbed, “Leadership, Self-Management and Financial Empowerment”, another speaker, Omowunmi Akinnefesi, a principal consultant at Buildvalley Consulting, explained that “It’s never too late to be who you could have been. Women need to acquire the right skill and build the right mindsets to create the shift needed; as their vibrations have to meet their rise and elevation.”
From the panel sessions and workshops, a handful of mentees were also selected to receive mentorship and training across music business, journalism, film, music production, and modern music technology. The mentorships were facilitated in partnership with the Music Business Academy (MBA), Girls In Afrobeats and Sony Music West Africa.
Some of the thrilling music showcases that day included trailblazing Nigerian singers Morravey and Solis. “My favourite thing about tonight’s performance was the energy. There’s something magical about performing and feeling that real connection with the crowd. It feels so good when people sing along and vibe with you. It reminds me why I do this,” Moravvey commented.
“The crowd was so alive! It felt like they were performing all the songs with me,” Solis said.
On the International Women’s Month celebrations, they both affirmed the impact of communal reflection and support on the rise of women across industries.
“It’s a time to highlight and celebrate the wonder, resilience, and brilliance of women everywhere. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, the challenges we still face, and the importance of uplifting and supporting one another in every space we occupy.” Solis said.
She added: “I hope to see a real change in the industry where women are valued beyond tokenism. Where our creativity, leadership, and contributions are not just acknowledged but celebrated without bias. And one where safety is a given, not a privilege.”
Morravey also mentioned that “It is a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made, the challenges we still face, and the need to keep pushing for a world where women are truly seen, heard, and valued in every space, especially in music.”
She also noted that “she wants to see more doors open for women, not just in front of the mic, but behind the scenes too. More women in executive positions, more female producers, engineers, and creatives getting the recognition they deserve. And, most importantly, I hope the conversation shifts from just celebrating women to actively creating equal opportunities for us to thrive.”
As the world music community continues to elevate women’s voices, spaces like “In Her Element” are on the climb towards localising such efforts within the Nigerian music scene, one festival at a time.
