Nigerian author and finance executive director Ada Onanuga on Sunday, February 15, launched her debut book Awaken the Voice Within at a well-attended event at the Civic Centre in Lagos.

The 161-page identity and personal formation guide was ushered into a world that needs the spark by family, friends, colleagues and professional partners. The book, which was first published in late 2025, encourages readers to reconnect with their inner voice and purpose after years of self-doubt or silence.

Onanuga, an executive with over 13 years of experience in African corporate and investment banking, is also a CFA charterholder and executive director at Atlantic City (ACUOP) Savings & Credit Cooperative Society Limited. In addition to her leadership in finance, she is a speaker and author whose work explores authenticity, identity, and human-centred leadership.

In Awaken the Voice Within, Onanuga draws on her personal stories, faith, and professional insights to help readers embark on a reflective journey of self-discovery.

In an interview with the Guardian, Onanuga explained that the inspiration for the book came from her personal experiences of silencing herself in professional and personal spaces.

“Too many of us dim our light to keep others comfortable,” she said. “This book is about reclaiming that light and living in alignment with our divine design.”

She told Guardian that she hopes women, especially, will find the courage to “say what’s on your mind with wisdom – even when it’s scary” and to reconnect with the sense of purpose they were born with. She added, “We didn’t lose our voices; life just buried them. I want readers to choose truth over silence and live in alignment with their purpose.”

The launch event, titled “Conversations on Women’s Voices Across Generations,” drew an audience primarily composed of women from various professional and cultural backgrounds. The event was sponsored by United Capital Plc, AccelerateHer Africa and Asterism Communications.

The programme featured a panel of female leaders who shared insights on authenticity, resilience, and leadership. Attendees responded positively to the event. Chioma Nwankwo, a 34-year-old teacher from Lagos, said she felt personally addressed by Onanuga’s message.

“I’ve often held back out of fear or wanting to fit in, but she reminded us that our voices matter,” Frederick Ameh said. Meanwhile, another attendee praised Onanuga’s blend of faith and candid storytelling. “The way she shares personal struggles makes you feel less alone. It felt like a safe space to start talking about things I’ve kept hidden,” she said.

Onanuga also highlighted the importance of reflection and deliberate action in reclaiming one’s voice. She encouraged participants to approach the book as a companion for ongoing personal work rather than a simple read.

“We are not meant to stay silent; we were given our voices for a reason,” she said during the closing of the event. She further urged attendees to take concrete steps toward aligning their daily lives with their inner purpose, reinforcing that the journey toward self-expression and authenticity is ongoing.

Just like Titilade Oyemade, who reviewed the book, described it as “leans in and speaks softly, yet firmly, to the parts of you you’ve long kept hidden.” The review highlighted the book’s gentle yet powerful tone, noting that it encourages readers to confront the forces that silence them, including fear, conformity, and societal expectations.

The book does not offer quick fixes; instead, it guides readers to understand that their “voice was never lost. It was simply buried under fear, conformity, and survival – and it can be awakened.” By the final pages, Oyemade concluded, the book is “not just a book; it is a guide, a companion, and a gentle call to rediscover the power and purpose that has always been within you.”

The launch therefore, is Onanuga’s mission to empower women and young professionals to reclaim their confidence and clarity.

Organisers noted that Awaken the Voice Within aims to reach anyone feeling disconnected from their inner strength, marking the start of what Onanuga hopes will become a broader movement for personal empowerment and purposeful living.