The CareerLife Foundation, a non-profit organisation, is revolutionising the way working mothers navigate their careers through its innovative Career Moms 4.0 program.
By providing mentorship, career development opportunities, and personalized support, the foundation empowers mothers to overcome challenges, achieve work-life balance, and thrive in their professional lives.
This initiative, which ran from March to June 2025, was a game-changer for working mothers in rebuilding their careers, offering the tools and resources they needed to succeed and make a lasting impact in their industries after childbirth.
Sharing their experiences, a participant said “I joined the program burnt out and confused,” a participant said.
“Each session spoke directly to what I was going through. The mentorship was the highlight for me. My mentor helped me revamp my CV, and I finally began getting interview calls.”
Over three months, 70 women were matched with professional mentors, many of whom are working mothers themselves.
These mentors offered one-on-one support, answered tough career questions, and helped mentees take bold steps, whether that meant applying for jobs, redefining goals, or restarting stalled businesses.
“I watched women rise, not because life got easier, but because growth doesn’t have to be loud,” said Adedoyin Olanipekun, a tech leader and one of the professional mentors.
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“The mentees navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and developed a clearer vision for their futures. It was an enriching experience, and it was a privilege to be part of the journey,” Olanipekun said.
“Often, it’s in quiet conversations, shared struggles, and showing up regularly. These past months reminded me that mentorship plants seeds that truly transform lives,” she added.
She appreciated the foundation for creating a safe space for women as a reminder that they are not alone.
According to her, the results of the mentorship and empowerment speak for themselves, as seven moms who participated secured job offers before the program ended, and five launched or revived their existing businesses.
She added that 19 moms reported increased confidence in navigating the job market and 16 updated their CVs and LinkedIn profiles and actively began applying for jobs.
She noted that some of the most profound shifts, however, were internal, as many moms shared how the program reshaped their mindset about motherhood and work.
“One class changed how I view motherhood. I used to feel guilty for pursuing a career with children, but now I realize I’m building a future for them, not abandoning them,” one mom shared.
The Career Moms program is a sub-initiative of CareerLife Foundation with a mission to help Africans, especially young professionals and women, achieve measurable career growth.
With over 2,500 lives impacted through various programs, the foundation continues to address the challenge of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria and beyond, directly contributing to UN SDG Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
“We started Career Moms because we saw a gap,” said Yewande Jinadu, founder of CareerLife Foundation.
“So many women were struggling to find their footing after maternity, feeling stuck, unsure, and unsupported. We created this space to help them rediscover themselves and take action in a safe, encouraging environment.”
