Ibukun Awosika seeks leadership shift to empower Nigerian women

Ibukun Awosika, former chairperson of First Bank Nigeria and founder of the Chair Centre Group, says greater inclusion of women in leadership roles is key to the country’s economic development.

Speaking at the SHIFT Leadership Conference in Lagos, Awosika said that Nigeria’s population is evenly split between men and women, and for the country to succeed, it must prioritise the contributions of every citizen.

The conference marked the 30th anniversary of Sam Adeyemi’s radio programme Success Power and brought together leaders to address Nigeria’s leadership challenges.

Awosika highlighted that the leadership lessons shared by other speakers at the event applied equally to women.

“I want you to know everything they (speakers) said also applies to you as a woman. There is no gender gap to the knowledge that they have shared,” she said.

“If we take a look at the country’s population, we are about 50-50 men and women. And if Nigeria wants to succeed, and to have economic development across the board, we must use every citizen.”

Awosika said societal norms and gender roles have long influenced how men and women are raised, adding that while men are groomed to take charge, women are often conditioned to follow.

She said this cultural mindset affects how leadership opportunities are distributed, even when women are more qualified

“The power structures in our society—whether political or economic—are largely controlled by men, who tend to nurture and raise other men for leadership roles,” Awosika said.

“Even when opportunities arise, people often assume that a boy will be a better fit, even if he is less qualified than the girl.”

Awosika also challenged men to support women’s growth, emphasising that empowering women benefits families and society at large.

“When a woman is competent and capable, she is an asset to her household and the nation. A husband’s success is tied to his wife’s success. If anything happens to him, a strong and empowered woman ensures the family’s stability,” she added.

Awosika stressed that investing in women is critical because they are the primary nurturers of children, and a nation cannot thrive if half of its population is overlooked.

She urged men to have open minds and support women, starting with their daughters and female colleagues.

“Combining the talent of men and women, maximising them for economic development of a nation is critical for nurturing the next generation,” she said.

“So we have a responsibility, that men must have an openness of mind to support and to nurture, from your daughters to the women that work with you.”

Awosika encouraged women to take control of their narrative, claim leadership spaces, and collaborate effectively in the workplace.

“Every position that a human being can sit in, you are qualified to sit in it. Sometimes you won’t have all the answers—neither do the men. Fifty percent of our population cannot be sitting on the sidelines,@ she told the women.

Awosika concluded by highlighting the need for a mindset shift among women, saying it is key to creating a more inclusive leadership culture in Nigeria.