Lagos: Some women in executive and leadership positions on Wednesday emphasised self-awareness, authenticity, and mission focus as key to effective public engagement and leadership. The women spoke at The Executive Women Summit (TEWS) 2025 held in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit had the theme, ‘Leading From Within: An Authentic Approach to Leadership.’ Founder of the Chair Centre Group, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, in her keynote address, said individuals are made up of many components and must represent their authentic selves. She noted that the most authentic part of any leader is their value system, stressing the courage to live rightly and stand for justice even when unpopular. According to her, the majority is not always right, hence, the need to own one’s own journey and story.
Also speaking, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of a former Vice-President, said success could be achieved by maintaining a laser focus on one’s mission. Osinbajo noted that such focus offered clarity and helped define achievable milestones. Her message centred on the need to compartmentalise aspects of one’s identity depending on the platform being addressed. She said, ‘Some people may enjoy simpler lives, eating chicken drumsticks and watching television. That is fine, but authenticity is being true to yourself.’ According to her, authenticity is about staying genuine to one’s values before, during, and after any position of prominence.
Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, lauded the summit for providing a platform where women leaders, innovators, and changemakers collaborate to inspire the next generation. Represented by Mrs Tobe Ajomale, wife of a Lagos lawmaker, Sanwo-Olu said true leadership was rooted in purpose, empathy, and integrity. According to her, women demonstrate strength, innovation, and resilience across governance, entrepreneurship, and public service. ‘In Lagos, women occupy key government positions, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and progress,’ she said. She added that the Office of the First Lady supported women, youth, and families through empowerment, mentorship, and welfare initiatives. ‘She encourages every woman to keep breaking barriers, mentoring others, and leading with authenticity and compassion,’ she added. According to her, women can drive growth and positive change by leading with courage and collaboration.
The Convener of TEWS, Mrs Bola Matel-Okoh, said Africa could not afford leadership that ‘burns bright and burns out.’ She said that while progress was visible, women still occupied only 27 per cent of parliamentary seats across Sub-Saharan Africa. ‘In the private sector, women’s representation declines sharply at senior levels,’ she noted. Across Africa, only nine per cent of CEOs and eight per cent of board chairs are women, though Nigeria leads with 10 per cent female CEOs among listed firms. ‘The numbers show where women fall off the leadership pipeline. Our task is to design systems where executive women not only rise but remain,’ she said. Matel-Okoh added that TEWS 2025 offers practical solutions to leadership burnout and underscores authenticity as vital for long-term organisational success.