The urgent call for accelerated female inclusion especially in male dominated industries and need for fostering balanced leadership cultures were highlighted at the Business Women Hub Conference (BWHC) held in Lagos.
The conference, themed ‘Accelerating Female Inclusion: How, Why and Now’ also urged women entrepreneurs to optimise their time, manage stress, and prioritise wellness while scaling their businesses. Experts shared tools for avoiding burnout and building sustainable habits.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Establishments and Training, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Atanda, emphasised that female inclusion in leadership, business, and society is no longer a question of if, but how fast we can close the gap.
“This conference is more than a gathering, t is a launchpad for action. Each of us has a role to play in advancing this movement. Let’s stand together, take bold steps, and shape a future where no woman is left behind. The time for change is now,” she said.
National Consultant on Private Sector Partnerships for the United Nations Women Nigeria Country Office, Hansatu Adegbite acknowledged the gender tensions in Nigeria’s current political climate and drew attention to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics revealing that 70 per cent of Nigerians, 133 million people, are multidimensionally poor, with the majority being women. She emphasized that female inclusion is an economic necessity, not just a moral imperative. Drawing from UN Women research, she identified economic empowerment, recognition of unpaid care labor, and autonomy as the three key pillars for sustainable progress.
Group Head and Head of Gender Desk at First City Monument Bank, Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, urged the audience to move beyond rhetoric and act decisively. Reflecting on the challenges women face in accessing finance and opportunity, she said, “Empowering women is not just about fairness, t’s an economic necessity. We must create systems where women can build wealth, own assets, and lead with authority, not apology.”
Writer, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, encouraged women to stop shrinking and start leading. She pointed to stark disparities, like women holding only 1.1 per cent of seats in the House of Representatives and receiving under 5 per cent of business loans, despite owning 41 per cent of SMEs.
Founder of Business Women Hub and Managing Partner at Thinkmint Nigeria, Mrs. Imelda Usoro-Olaoye, reiterated the Hub’s mission to support early-stage female entrepreneurs with access to training, funding, markets, and opportunities.
The conference also had three sessions titled, Female Inclusion: Empowering the Female CEO; Time and Health Management for the Growing Business Lead and Promoting Creativity and Art as a Tool for Business Growth
Other speaker included; Executive Service Coach, Gusi Lordwilliams; Head, Tourism Business, Sterling Bank, Abiola Adelana; HOD, Development Nigeria, British University (NBU), Dr. Ella Chioma Ezeadilieje; Digital Sales Manager, BusinessDay, Linda Ochugbua; Co-founder/Chief People Officer, SO FRESH, Abimbola Balogun; Consultant Managing Partner, Hillbridge, Ella George-Uduku; Digital Creator, Emmanuella Akinrinde; CEO Dewla Options Interior, Vice President Business School Netherlands Toast Master Club, Dr. Morenike Basharu; CEO Healthertainer, Dr. Kelechi Okoro; Founder Crestructure Consulting, Rita Ahunanya; Founder, Live Again Movement, Enifome Ogbimi; Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance Services Pentagon Partners, Barr. Martha Rotoye; CEO Terasi Empire, Itee Akrasi; Senior Consultant, Centafold Consult, Ufoma Thompson; CEO Pama Beauty Hair, Chioma Amadi and Head of Growth, Suplias Technologies, Precious Adesina-Ola.
The 2025 conference also celebrated rising female entrepreneurs through the Business Women Hub Recognition Awards, honoring 19 exceptional women for their resilience, innovation, and impact.
Three emerging entrepreneurs also emerged as grant winners to the tune of 3,000,000 Naira, receiving funding support to scale their businesses. The sum of 1,500,000 Naira was awarded to the first winner Adis Foods Haven; 1,000,000 Naira was awarded to the second winner Lil Miss Fab and 500,000 Naira was awarded to the third winner.
