Emmanuel Olonade

Lagos — More than 3,000 women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals gathered at the 24th Annual Conference of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a resounding call for Nigerian women to take charge of their journeys, lead with purpose, and nurture the next generation.

This year’s conference, themed “OWN: Own. Walk. Nurture.”, explored three dimensions of leadership and empowerment — owning one’s story, walking in purpose, and nurturing others along the way.

In her address, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), urged women to embody leadership that transforms communities and inspires future generations. “To own is to take responsibility; to walk is to lead with courage; and to nurture is to lift others as you rise,” she said, calling for authenticity and accountability in women’s leadership journeys.

Delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Arunma Oteh, former Treasurer of the World Bank, challenged women to be intentional about shaping their paths and contributing to national development. She described women’s empowerment as a catalyst for societal progress, stressing that Nigeria’s ranking of 143 out of 144 countries in women’s political participation is “a wake-up call.” Oteh encouraged more women to contest elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying, “When women lead, societies thrive.”

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, praised WIMBIZ for fostering inclusion and empowerment, describing the organisation as “a beacon of authenticity.” He urged women entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses to benefit from forthcoming tax incentives, announcing that, beginning next year, businesses with turnovers below ₦100 million will be exempt from corporate income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and withholding tax.

Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in governance and the economy. The statement highlighted that women now constitute over 40 percent of the state’s executive council and more than half of its permanent secretaries.

“These strides reinforce our belief that when women rise, economies grow; when women lead, communities thrive; and when women own, walk, and nurture, nations transform,” the governor’s message read.

The two-day conference also featured plenary sessions, mentorship dialogues, and networking opportunities aimed at equipping women with tools for leadership, innovation, and social impact.