Directors have said that empowering women in leadership was not merely a social aspiration but a governance imperative and a catalyst for national development.

They made the call during the occasion of the Women Directors’ Luncheon organised by the Women’s Group of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria as part of its commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day.

President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Adetunji Oyebanji, urged organisations to continue to mentor intentionally, support generously and lead with purpose, ensuring that pathways to leadership remain open and accessible for the next generation of women directors.

Noting that leadership was not merely about occupying positions of authority, he said it was about building people, shaping institutions, and leaving systems stronger than they found them.

He stressed that across boardrooms, public institutions and enterprises, women continue to demonstrate exceptional leadership, bringing diverse perspectives, ethical stewardship and long-term thinking to governance. However, he acknowledged that the journey toward full representation and influence in leadership spaces was still ongoing.

Speaking on the theme ‘Give to Gain: Leadership, Mentoring and Impact’, the President of Woodhall Capital Limited, Moji Hunponu-Wusu, who noted that mentorship cannot stop with young people, factored another group that often encounters structural barriers in leadership progression, stressing that women were navigating the pathway to executive leadership.

She cited statistics according to the McKinsey and Company Women in the Workplace 2024 report that women now hold about 28 per cent of global C-suite roles, up from 17 per cent a decade ago.

The progress, Hunponu-Wusu said, was encouraging.

However, she noted that the journey toward full representation in executive leadership and boardrooms was still ongoing.

According to her, true leadership must create pathways for others, adding that the most enduring leaders are not those who simply reach the top but those who make it easier for others to rise.

Emphasising leadership and mentorship, Chairman, CIoD Women’s Group, Ronke Sokefun said leadership gives direction while mentorship motivates capability impact that ensures efforts are famous.