A widening gap between women’s growing presence in Nigeria’s workforce and their limited influence in decision making roles took centre stage at a leadership summit in Lagos, as business and policy leaders called for a shift from visibility to real power.
The issue framed discussions at the BusinessDay Women in Leadership Summit held in partnership with Brooks and Blake and The Conversationalistin Lagos on March 27, where speakers argued that progress in representation has not translated into proportional authority.
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Funmi Onajide, chairperson of Brooks and Blake PR, said the change in women’s participation across industries is clear, but the deeper shift lies in how that presence is beginning to reshape leadership itself.
“Across industries, women are not just participating. They are rising. They are leading,” she said. “We are no longer simply asking for a seat. We are earning it and in many cases redefining what the table looks like.”
That shift, she added, is being reinforced by stronger networks among women and a growing culture of mentorship. “Women are supporting one another, mentoring the next generation and shaping institutions from within.”
Despite these gains, data presented at the summit pointed to a persistent imbalance.
Mary Iwelumo, partner at PwC, noted that while women account for nearly half of Nigeria’s labour force, their representation at the top remains limited. “We are visible, but are we powerful enough. The answer from the data is clear,” she said.
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She pointed to recent improvements in corporate governance, with women now holding about 30 percent of board seats among Nigeria’s largest listed companies, the highest level recorded so far. She also highlighted the role women played during the Covid pandemic, particularly in small and medium sized businesses that pivoted quickly to digital platforms.
“Every woman must be bold about her ambition, strategic about her power and relentless about lifting others as she rises,” Iwelumo said.
Beyond access, speakers emphasised the quality and intent of leadership.
Folashade Ogunsola, first female vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, said leadership anchored on purpose and values is critical to sustaining progress. She outlined ethics, inclusion and resilience as core pillars.
“You must know who you are and invest in competence. You cannot afford mediocrity,” she said. “Leadership is about service. It requires courage and the discipline to choose integrity at all times.”
She stressed that inclusion requires deliberate action, particularly through mentorship. “It only happens for the people you intentionally bring in,” she said, referencing efforts to support women at the university level.
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Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, chair of the board of the African Finance Corporation, placed the conversation within a broader economic context, arguing that leadership decisions shape whether institutions create or extract value.
“Inclusive leadership ensures power is shared responsibly,” she said. “More diverse institutions and economies are stronger and more resilient, especially in volatile environments.”
She warned, however, that inclusion without clear objectives risks becoming tokenism, undermining both effectiveness and competitiveness.
Other contributors pointed to structural barriers that continue to slow progress, including the absence of enforceable gender balance policies in leadership positions.
The discussions reflected a common thread. While women’s participation in Nigeria’s economy is rising, the consolidation of influence remains uneven, leaving a critical question for institutions and policymakers on how to close the gap between presence and power.
