Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) is set to hold the 24th edition of its annual conference with the theme, “O.W.N: Own. Walk. Nurture.” The two-day hybrid event will feature keynote from renowned economist, Arunma Oteh and Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Amina Augie Rtd, serving as Chairperson
The conference which holds November 6 and 7, will gather over 3000 women at the Eko hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Attendees from around the world including United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ghana, Cameroon and United Arab Emirates will come together to engage in transformative dialogue and learning.
Chairman, WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Bisi Adeyemi, noted that the WIMBIZ Annual Conference is a call to action for all women to own their stories, as it is a show of strength and resilience in their journey towards attaining leadership positions.
Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, said the conference remains the flagship event of the organisation. She emphasised WIMBIZ’s long-standing commitment to empowering women, particularly in leadership roles while highlighting that the conference has played a key role in inspiring over 344,335 women throughout its history.
On her part, Chair, 2025 Conference Planning Group (CPG), Abimbola Wright, confirmed that this year’s conference is a rallying call for women to OWN their story, voice, and space at the table, WALK in power, embodying courage and authenticity, NURTURE others, especially the next generation, through mentorship and collaboration.
According to Abimbola, this year’s theme, O.W.N – Own, Walk, Nurture, was chosen with deep reflection on the realities that women face today. Too many women, even those who are accomplished, still wrestle with barriers that limit their potential, from stereotyping and imposter syndrome to domestic responsibilities, health challenges, and the weight of societal expectations. Many have paused their dreams, hidden their light, or questioned their worth because of the labels society places on them.
The 24th edition of the conference promises a diverse agenda, including four plenary sessions, two deep dive sessions, a fireside chat and an exciting debate. Among the plenary sessions, “The Wealth Playbook: Women, Economic Power & Sustainability, Protirement: Reimagining the Next Chapter with Purpose, Whole Woman, Whole Life: Wellness as a Journey, Not a Destination, Rethink, Reframe, Revitalize: The Power of Inter-generational Collaboration, amongst others.
On her part, Member, WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, urged all interested participants to visit the WIMBIZ website to register for the conference. She confirmed that the conference will also be accessible through the WIMBIZ app, which enables users to engage with sessions, read comments, and network with other online attendees.
Akingbohungbe also spoke passionately about WIMBIZ’s advocacy efforts, which lie at the heart of the organisation’s mission. According to her, WIMBIZ during the course of the year, in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, the Nigerian High Commission, and the Institute of Directors (IoD), hosted a webinar focused on expanding Nigerian women’s participation in international trade emphasising cross-border collaboration, export readiness, and opportunities for women-led businesses in global markets.
Through its Women in Law initiative, WIMBIZ also organised a series of leadership and mentoring sessions reaching over 3,000 women. These included The Leadership Journey webinar and a Stakeholders’ Breakfast Dialogue, which brought together senior female legal professionals to discuss career progression, mentorship, and gender inclusion within the legal industry.
WIMBIZ also joined forces with WILAN, WISCAR, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to launch the Women in Leadership Coalition, a powerful alliance championing women’s representation across all sectors. The Coalition’s three-point agenda calls for: A modern labour reform for Nigeria, a healthy balance in Corporate Nigeria and a governance class that truly represents all.
