Empowering Women Through Advocacy and Collaboration
The Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has long been a beacon of empowerment for women in Nigeria. At the 2025 WIMBIZ Annual Conference in Lagos, the organisation’s Executive Director, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, delivered a powerful message emphasizing the need for increased female representation in governance and leadership roles.
Akingbohungbe called on Nigerians, particularly women, to engage with their representatives in the House of Assembly to support the Reserved Seats Bill. This legislation aims to increase the number of women in political positions, creating a more equitable landscape in Nigeria’s leadership spaces. She described the bill as a “prospective channel for fair female representation” and urged women to reach out to their representatives directly.
“Now, this looks like a temporary fix, but it is a prospective channel for fair female representation in the House of Assembly. And a notable action from that webinar, which I want us all to embark on, is to get to know your representative in the House of Assembly. They owe you that much. Reach out to them and encourage them to support the Reserved Seats Bill,” she said.
Pushing for Gender Equity in the Workplace
Beyond political advocacy, WIMBIZ is also pushing for modern labour reforms to improve workplace conditions for women. Akingbohungbe highlighted the need for better maternity and paternity leave policies, as well as increased female representation in corporate leadership.
“We have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes calling for modern labour reform. We are saying that the 16 weeks paid maternity leave should be the minimum standard, and of course, 14 days paternity leave, because we know that the issue of care is a shared responsibility,” she explained.
She noted that current laws still fall short, with only 50 per cent pay and 12 weeks of maternity leave, and no mention of paternity leave. WIMBIZ is also advocating for at least 35 per cent female representation on boards and in executive management of listed companies, as well as in federal and state cabinets.
Mentorship and Empowerment Initiatives
Another key focus of WIMBIZ is its mentorship programmes, particularly the Big Sister initiative. This programme has successfully reached over 1,500 secondary school girls in Uyo, Lagos, and Abuja this year. The initiative connects young girls with experienced mentors who guide them in confidence building, entrepreneurship, career planning, financial literacy, and personal hygiene.
“We connected these young girls with Big Sisters from the WIMBIZ community and corporate organisations for speed mentoring sessions on confidence building, entrepreneurship, career planning, financial literacy, and even personal hygiene, equipping them for life and the journey ahead,” Akingbohungbe said.
Fostering Unity and Sisterhood
Akingbohungbe concluded her presentation by emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual support among women. She encouraged the audience to hold hands and embrace the power of collaboration.
“Please hold hands with the person beside you. This is what collaboration means. Raise those hands and say along with me: We are sisters. We collaborate. We support each other. We achieve our goals together,” she urged.
Recognition and Impact of the WIMBIZ Conference
The WIMBIZ Annual Conference, now in its 24th year, continues to serve as a vital platform for women across sectors to exchange ideas, advocate for policy reform, and accelerate the pace of female representation in leadership. The event has grown significantly over the years, with improvements in organisation, digital integration, and eco-friendly practices.
Directors of PUNCH Nigeria Limited praised the conference for its impactful theme, “Own Your Story, Walk in Power and Nurture the Future.” They highlighted how the theme resonates with attendees and fosters a sense of sisterhood and empowerment.
“It’s a lot better organised. They’re going digital. They’re going eco-friendly. We don’t have physical programmes anymore. Everything is online now. So there’s a lot of improvement in terms of logistics,” said Wunmi Tunde-Obe, Executive Director, Business Development at PUNCH Nigeria Limited.
She also commended the conference chair, Amina Augie, for her inspiring message about owning one’s truth and continuing to serve despite challenges.
Resilience and Purpose in Women’s Leadership
Olori Omoshalewa Aboderin-Olubusi, another director at PUNCH Nigeria Limited, spoke about the importance of resilience, empathy, and purpose in women’s leadership. She emphasized that women must continue to give and serve, regardless of the challenges they face.
“She (Conference Chair, Justice Amina Augie (retd.)) said a lot that resonated as regards experiences in life, and that we all should own our story in such a way that it should be able to impact other people and never get tired of doing that,” she said.
Aboderin-Olubusi also reflected on a breakout session discussing the challenges of balancing work, business, and family responsibilities, including caring for physically challenged dependents. She stressed the importance of understanding and empathy in supporting women facing such challenges.
A Platform for Change and Growth
The WIMBIZ Annual Conference remains a critical space for women to connect, learn, and advocate for change. With its focus on collaboration, mentorship, and policy reform, the conference continues to inspire and empower women across Nigeria. As the organisation moves forward, its commitment to gender equity and leadership development will remain central to its mission.