The Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) successfully held its 23rd Annual Conference on November 7th – 8th, 2024, at Eko Hotel and Suites. This two-day hybrid event brought together dynamic women leaders,entrepreneurs, public servants, and delegates from over 9 different countries present at the conference. Some of the countries include; United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Cameroon amongst others.

With its theme, “Dream. Dare. Do.,” the conference served as a platform for insightful discussions and meaningful networking, inspiring attendees to take bold steps toward impactful leadership and success.

For over two decades, WIMBIZ’s Annual Conference has advanced gender equality, fostered leadership, and inspired lasting change for women in Nigeria and beyond, empowering them to break barriers and thrive.

After the registration process, the conference kicked off with a powerful rendition of the theme song, “Fight Song,” by Rachel Platten setting an energised and empowering tone for the day. The Nigerian national anthem followed, led by Nifemi Adewole, and was heartily chorused by over two thousand participants, both physically and virtually present.

Bisi Adeyemi, Chairman of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, delivered the welcome address. She invited attendees to honour the memories of deceased WIMBIZ members with a moment of silence and expressed gratitude to the organisation’s founders, trustees, and planning committees. “The connections you make today could spark ideas that create meaningful change,” she emphasised, encouraging everyone to maximise the power of networking. She concluded with a call to action: “Let us dare to dream, dare to act together.”

Other esteemed members of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees present included Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, Ebisan Akisanya, Dr. Celestina Eke mni, Prof. George Nwangwu, Niyi Yusuf, Juliet Ehimuan, and Dr. Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi. Their collective support and leadership further highlighted the commitment to advancing WIMBIZ’s mission and empowering women in all spheres of life.

Following Bisi Adeyemi’s remarks, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Chairperson of the Conference, highlighted the legacy of WIMBIZ as a platform for dreaming, daring, and doing. “The WIMBIZ founders have not just dreamed; they’ve dared to pass that dream on to future generations,” she said. She encouraged attendees to defy stereotypes, aspire for greatness, and remain steadfast in pursuing their ambitions.

The event continued with a powerful speech by Emem Usoro, Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, who addressed the challenges faced by northern women and highlighted CBN’s commitment to diversity and inclusion within financial services. “The CBN stands firm in ensuring diversity within its own organisation and across the banking industry,” she noted, urging women to make impactful decisions for themselves and society.

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu Hundeyin, representing the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, shared her admiration for WIMBIZ’s work. “For over two decades, WIMBIZ has empowered thousands of women, breaking barriers and reshaping norms,” she said, emphasising the value of the theme “Dream. Dare. Do.,” as a reflection of Lagos State’s commitment to bold leadership.

WIMBIZ held its first-ever live pitch session at the Annual Conference, empowering entrepreneurs to present their ideas to industry leaders like Chevron’s Kate Brum and KPMG’s Ijeoma Emezie-Ezigbo. Damilare Kazeem of Ofada Hub won first place, receiving five million naira. Oluwabamike Abebayo of Anne Ruth Marie earned second place with two million naira, and Grace Oladipo of Glaw Natural took third with one million naira. Fourth and fifth places went to Oluchi Anoruo of Smart Pharm and Atinuke Adeshokan of Travel Right, each receiving five hundred thousand naira.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, former Vice President of Nigeria, commended WIMBIZ for empowering women, saying, “The founders of WIMBIZ deserve to be proud; their dream has empowered countless women.” Reflecting on vision, he added, “We are here today because some people dreamt and sustained the dream,” acknowledging the Board of Trustees’ support. Osinbajo highlighted WIMBIZ’s influence on policy, noting, “A society rises or falls by the strength of its elite,” and stressed continuous market research: “Understand your market and keep researching, even when your business is thriving.” He concluded by urging, “Ignore the noise, collaborate, and focus on making an impact beyond profit.”

In addition, WIMBIZ’s Board of Trustees further demonstrated their commitment to the conference’s success by presenting thoughtful gifts to speakers, judges, and moderators. This gesture of appreciation underscored their dedication to advancing WIMBIZ’s mission and celebrating the contributions of key individuals who played pivotal roles in the event.

The conference also honoured female pioneers in technology and innovation, recognizing Funke Opeke and the late Engr. Florence Seriki for their groundbreaking contributions. Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, WIMBIZ Executive Director, shared key milestones, including the induction of 700 Associates and 69 Life members, and highlighted the Big Sisters program’s engagement with 1,400 girls this year. She noted progress in female board representation, rising from 21% to 29.3%, though more is needed, particularly in the public sector.

Akingbohungbe while thanking the event partners and sponsors, called for more women to be a part of WIMBIZ most especially joining the advocacy drive for more women representation by at least 35% at board level across all sectors, noting that “The issue of inequality is not a women issue, it is fundamentally a human right issue. So, irrespective of your gender you cannot sit on the fence. I urge you all to choose to make this difference together” and hinted at an upcoming partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to expand WIMBIZ’s impact.

The WIMBIZ Advocacy video added an inspiring note to the event, highlighting the importance of increased female representation in various sectors, particularly in banking. It also emphasised the growing presence of women as CEOs and on corporate boards. Additionally, the WIMBIZ Impact video demonstrated the organisation’s achievements in empowering women to lead and succeed, showcasing the transformative work WIMBIZ has done in fostering leadership among women.

The conference also showcased a series of remarkable moments, including the WIMBIZ Entrepreneurship Masterclass Award Presentation. The grand prize of ₦1 million was awarded to Achieve Ngusuru, while Kehinde Aderibigbe (Poultry Farm) and Stacy Livinus (Fashion Brand) were each presented with solar power systems as part of their recognition.

During the two-day event, five plenary sessions, three workshops, and the highly anticipated debate were held. Each session provided practical strategies and insights for personal and professional growth.

Plenary Session 1:

Embracing a Limitless Mindset, moderated by Chioma Afe, featured speakers Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi and John Obaro. The session focused on overcoming self-limiting beliefs and unlocking one’s full potential. Prof. Maikudi and Obaro shared valuable insights on resilience, building self-confidence, and seizing new opportunities.

Plenary Session 2:

Conquering New Frontiers, moderated by Efuntomi Akpeneye, featured speakers Aderonke Akilo, Dalu Ajene, Arinola Kola-Daisi, and Vincent Egbe. This session focused on navigating new markets and breaking into male-dominated industries. The panellists shared valuable lessons on forging new partnerships and finding innovative solutions to challenges.

Plenary Session 3:

Overcoming Emotional Hurdles in Women’s Bold Journey, moderated by Zainab Bashir Yau, featured speakers Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, Dr. Mirabel Nwosu, and Dr. Laila St. Matthew-Daniel. The session addressed emotional resilience, mental wellness, and balancing personal and professional pressures. The speakers provided strategies for building emotional strength and thriving in leadership.

Plenary Session 4:

Future-Proofing Your Business, moderated by Titi Adewusi, featured speakers Nnamdi Ibe, Stanislaus Martin, and Olumide Soyombo. The session explored sustainable growth and adapting to changing markets. The panellists shared strategies for staying competitive and resilient in the face of disruption.

Plenary Session 5:

Diversifying into Entertainment as a Relevant Business, moderated by Ladun Awobokun, featured speakers Tobi Alabi, Mary Remmy Njoku, and Jade Osiberu. The session explored opportunities in the entertainment industry, offering insights on how women can tap into this growing sector for creative and business success.

The workshops provided valuable growth tools, starting with Workshop 1: Pulse Check: Your Personal M.O.T., facilitated by Debola Deji-Kurunmi, where participants assessed strengths and set success goals. In Workshop 2: S.W.O.T.: What’s Stopping You?, Idorenyen Enang guided attendees to overcome barriers to senior leadership. Lastly, Workshop 3: Pulse Check – Going Global as a Business, led by Niyi Adesanya, explored strategies for entering international markets and building global partnerships.

A standout highlight of the conference was a debate on “Virtual Vibes versus Office Energy,” sponsored by the Doyenne Circle. Panellists included Gladys Ameh, Folakemi Jegede, Kemi Kayode-Akinbolade, and Sesan Sulaiman, with Chukwunonso Franklin Onwuzu moderating. After a lively discussion, the “Office Energy” team claimed victory.

The conference also featured a series of impactful micro talks, including contributions from Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of MTN Foundation; Ayodele Olojede Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Wema Bank; Bolanle Matel-Okoh, CEO of BMO Advisory; and Yemi Adesanya, Controller at First Bank of Nigeria. These talks offered valuable insights and perspectives from leaders across diverse sectors, enriching the overall experience for attendees.

Opeyemi Oduwole, Chair of the 2024 Conference Planning Group, WIMBIZ, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing her sincere gratitude to everyone who made the conference a success. She encouraged all attendees to take the knowledge and insights gained from the conference and implement them in their personal and professional lives, continuing to drive positive change and impact.

The event wrapped up with an after-party bringing a lively end to an inspiring conference.

Some of the delegates at the conference expressed their delight at having been a part of an inspiring and empowering event and organisation which aims at empowering women to attain leadership position in business, management and public service.

One of the delegates from Cameroon, Hulda Tawe confirmed that WIMBIZ has inspired her to Dream. Dare. Do. and she looks forward to be more of an active member of WIMBIZ as she continues to drive and share the good news about WIMBIZ with more women in Cameroon.