Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action; where recognition is matched with resolve, and where the diversity of Nigerian women’s experiences comes together in one voice!

As a Founding Member of the African Women Leaders Network Nigeria Steering Council, a Founding Member of the UNWomen Nigeria Steering Council, and a Member of the AWLNetwork, UNWomen Committee in New York, I was pleased to have been represented by my Wellbeing Foundation Africa Abuja Team, led by our Director of Public Policy, Impact and Partnership, Mr Rasheed Yusuf, at a day of events yesterday which gathered Nigerian women to celebrate achievement, reflect on progress, and chart new paths forward together.

The Voice of Women Conference & Awards 2025, convened with dedication by Mrs Toun Okewale Sonaiya, brought women from every sphere of life under the theme Nigerian Women & The Power of Collective Action at a breakfast and live broadcast gathering, honouring women at both the grassroots and national levels, reminding that each gain for women is magnified when pursued collectively.

That spirit carried seamlessly into the evening with the AWLN Nigeria Steering Council Reception and Dinner at the United Nations House in Abuja, chaired by Professor Funmi Para-Mallam MNI, and held in honour of Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former Executive Director of UN Women. Discussions placed particular emphasis on the urgent need to secure parliamentary seats for women through measures such as the Special Seats Bill, alongside strengthening women’s leadership in peace, security, governance, and development.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the recently launched National Consortium on Women in Governance, Peace and Security, developed with the support of UN Women Nigeria and the Government of Germany. I warmly welcome this vital step in institutionalising women’s leadership within decision-making and peacebuilding, ensuring inclusion is not symbolic but systemic, and reflecting AWLN Nigeria’s strength in bringing government, civil society, academia, and international partners together around a lasting framework for progress.

I congratulate the Steering Council for advancing this vision, and remain committed to standing at the frontline of our mission, ensuring that together we strengthen Nigeria and contribute to Africa’s transformation.

 

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