Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business executive. As founder of TOS Group, she leads the TOS TV Network, Foundation and more. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Stonehill College and a Master’s degree in same field from Northeastern University, both in Massachusetts, USA. She further honed her expertise with a certificate in TV and Film Production from the New York Film Academy amongst other certifications. With passion for advocacy with focus on the African girl child, she is dedicated to promoting women’s participation in politics and governance. Ogwuche collaborated with the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives to champion the ‘Reserved Seats for Women’ bill, aimed at increasing women’s representation in legislative bodies. In this interview, she speaks on why women should take up more elective positions in politics.
Take us through your growing up and what informed your passion for advocacy.
I often say that I was born into a life of purpose. My upbringing in the Igbinedion household was rooted in duty, dignity, and service to community. My parents, particularly my father, modelled leadership that was grounded not in power, but in responsibility. I was taught early on that privilege must always be accompanied by purpose. My father often told my siblings and me, “The only thing I owe you is an education, everything else is a privilege.” That message became the foundation of the work ethic I carry with me today. But it was my mother who modelled strength, compassion, and quiet but unshakable influence. Her grace under pressure, her deep wisdom, and her ability to command respect while nurturing those around her made an indelible impression on me. She taught me that power and kindness are not opposites, they are complements. My admiration for her continues to shape the woman I am and aspire to be. So even as a child, I was aware that the comfort I enjoyed was not universal, and that awareness came with an obligation to do something about it. The disparities were glaring to me even then, in access to education, in the way women were spoken to or about, in the systemic neglect of the most vulnerable. My passion for advocacy grew not from anger, but from compassion, and an unwavering belief that society can and must do better. Whether through TOS Foundation or my work in media and public engagement, I have always sought to use my platform to build bridges, amplify the unheard, and bring real solutions to the fore. Advocacy, for me, is not an occasional act, it is a lifestyle of purpose, driven by empathy and anchored in justice. And at the center of it all is my faith, my belief in Jesus Christ. That relationship gives me direction, courage, and peace. It informs every decision I make and gives meaning to the work I do.
Running your various establishments, how would you say you have evolved?
Running multiple organisations, across media, philanthropy, energy, real estate, and advocacy, has been both humbling and empowering. I’ve grown from simply managing projects to engineering systems that are sustainable and scalable. Early on, I was very hands-on, involved in every detail. But over time, I’ve learned to lead with vision and to trust my teams with execution. I’ve embraced structure, scale, and strategy as essential tools of leadership. The most significant evolution has been internal. I have learned the value of patience, not as passivity, but as strategic endurance. I have come to understand that impact isn’t always immediate, but if you build with integrity and intention, it is inevitable. I have also become more collaborative. Real change is never a solo act. It’s a symphony of aligned interests, partnerships, and shared purpose. I am also deeply grounded by the support I receive from my husband and my siblings. They are my anchor, a circle of trust that keeps me focused, balanced, and spiritually centered. My husband is my rock, my quiet strength, and one of my biggest champions. My siblings are a constant reminder of where I come from and why I do what I do. Their support has allowed me to be bold in public while remaining whole in private.
You have been involved in advocacy and public engagement since 2017. What stands out for you in the ‘Reserved Seats for Women’ Bill?
What stands out most to me is that this bill is not symbolic, it is structural. It’s a tangible, legislative intervention that addresses a deep-rooted imbalance in our political landscape. For too long, Nigerian women have been told to participate, to contest, to engage. And they have, but participation without protection in a system designed to exclude is futile. This bill recognises that reality with clarity and boldness. It also shows the maturity of our democracy, that we can admit when a system needs to evolve, and that we are willing to take legislative steps to do so. It represents more than just seats; it represents a shift in national consciousness. It tells the world that Nigeria is ready to move beyond rhetoric and implement reforms that reflect the diversity and strength of its people. This bill is a culmination of years of groundwork, public discourse, and collective agitation. What makes it extraordinary is that it offers a practical and politically viable path to equity, a real blueprint for inclusion, not just an ideal.
Share with us some of the specifics of the bill and what differentiates it from the failed gender bills.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill is unique in both its focus and its feasibility. It proposes the creation of one additional seat per state and the FCT, making a total of 37 seats in the House of Representatives and 37 seats in the Senate, reserved exclusively for women to contest. Then, at the state level, it mandates 3 additional seats per state across all 36 states of Nigeria making a total of 108 seats, reserved for only women to contest. Importantly, this expansion does not displace existing male legislators, it complements them. What differentiates it from previous gender bills is its clarity, focus, and legislative pragmatism. Earlier bills often bundled too many ambitions into one proposal; citizenship rights, affirmative action, economic inclusion, which, while all important, overwhelmed the legislative process. This bill, however, has one clear goal: to increase women’s representation in political office by adding, not subtracting from, the current seats. That specificity has made it more digestible and politically viable. Moreover, this bill is the result of extensive engagement with lawmakers, civil society groups, student unions, traditional leaders, women’s organisations, and political stakeholders. It has garnered bipartisan support because it offers a practical, forward-thinking solution to a glaring imbalance. It’s not about exclusion, it’s about correction. It’s about ensuring our political space is reflective of the people it serves.
Stereotypes and cultural limitations have hindered women’s leadership in politics. How would this bill address that concern?
Culture is powerful, but so is precedent. This bill aims to create a new normal. When young girls see women in powerful roles, in the Senate, in state assemblies, in leadership, it reconfigures their imagination of what is possible. Representation matters not just for governance, but for identity formation, for aspiration, and for societal norms. The bill also has the potential to catalyse societal change by demonstrating competence. When communities are served effectively by female representatives, cultural resistance begins to fade. Respect follows results. Over time, the stereotype that politics is a man’s game will crumble, not because we argue against it, but because we prove otherwise through action and achievement. Moreover, this bill is an antidote to fear. Many capable women shy away from politics because the space has not historically been welcoming. Reserved seats offer a safer, more equitable entry point, giving women the political muscle to build careers, coalitions, and credibility. It shifts the narrative from whether women belong in politics to how we can best support them to succeed.
What are the practical benefits of this bill for Nigeria’s democracy and development?
Inclusive governance drives stronger nations. When women are at the table, we make smarter decisions—on healthcare, security, education, and the economy. This bill isn’t about women winning for women; it’s about Nigeria winning as a nation. You cannot have sustainable development when half the population is underrepresented in decision-making. This is about long-term institutional health, not just short-term political gains.
Some say women should “earn” their seats through open competition. What is your take?
That is assuming the playing field is level but it’s not. As a business leader, I know the importance of systems and structures. Talent alone doesn’t thrive without enabling environments. Reserved seats are not about lowering standards, they’re about removing institutional roadblocks that have sidelined brilliant, capable women for decades. If we want meritocracy to truly work, we must first remove the biases baked into the system.
What drives you for success?
For me, success is not about accolades or titles. It is about legacy, about the lives improved, the systems changed, and the paths cleared because I dared to show up. My motivation comes from purpose, from a spiritual conviction that I am here to serve, to lead, to build, and to uplift. When I look into the faces of my son and daughter, Lemuel and Zephaniah, I’m reminded that I owe them a better Nigeria. Giving birth to my son, my firstborn, changed my entire perspective on life. It deepened my capacity for love, expanded my sense of responsibility, and gave me a new lens through which I see the future. I understood in a visceral way that the policies we debate today will define the world our children inherit tomorrow. I want my daughter to inherit a Nigeria where her voice is valued, her ambitions are valid, and her leadership is visible. That’s the country I’m building toward. I am again deeply moved by a sense of responsibility every time I walk into a room. I think of the women who couldn’t, the children whose futures are still at risk, the communities that remain underserved. They are my why. I’m driven by the belief that impact should be scalable, that ideas should become institutions, and that no effort is too small when directed at the public good. And ultimately, I am driven by my faith in Jesus Christ, the source of my strength, clarity, and conviction. I believe I can accomplish all things through Christ, hard work, clear vision, and the incredible support of my family.
What do you hope to see Nigerian women do differently?
I hope to see Nigerian women take up space, boldly, strategically, and in unity. We have the numbers, we have the competence, and we have the drive. What we need now is solidarity. To rise above tribal, religious, and class divisions and present a united front for our collective advancement. I want to see more women at the decision-making table, not waiting to be invited, but taking their rightful place. I want to see us invest in one another, mentor the next generation, and build institutions that endure. We must not only seek power, we must steward it with grace, with excellence, and with a vision for others.
