Tosin Dokpesi, Maupe Ogun to host VOW2024 conference October 3

The 8th annual Voice of Women Conference & Awards (VOW2024) is set to take place on October 3, at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.

Tosin Dokpesi, managing director of Africa Independent Television (AIT), and Maupe Ogun, renowned journalist with Channels Television, will moderate the event.

They will be joined by Morayo Afolabi-Brown, managing director of TVC Entertainment, and Blessing Agbeetan, presentation manager at Women Radio, who will moderate various sessions throughout the day.

This year’s event will focus on the role grassroots women play in shaping inclusive policies that promote sustainable development in Nigeria.

Themed “Achieving Women’s Inclusion for a Sustainable Nigeria,” the conference is expected to gather women from across the country to engage in discussions on closing the gap between policy and action.

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, chair of the VOW2024 planning committee, said this year’s conference aims to shed light on these challenges and offer practical solutions for ensuring women’s voices are not just heard but translated into meaningful action.

“The theme for this year brings to the forefront the missing link between policy and action. VOW2024 looks beyond the present, envisioning a future of progress by prioritizing result-driven approaches,” she said.

“We are tapping into innovative ideas and policy interventions that will foster lasting change for women in Nigeria.

“The Voice of Women Conference has established itself as a key player in shaping the policy landscape, becoming a marketplace for ideas, innovation, and the promotion of women’s rights in Nigeria.”

The event will feature a lineup of keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking opportunities.

Speakers at the event include prominent government officials from Kwara state such as Nafisat Buge, commissioner for environment; Bola Olukoju, commissioner for communications; Folashade Omoniyi, executive chair of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service; Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, commissioner for education; Afolashade Oluwakemi, commissioner for women affairs; and Kemi Adeosun, permanent secretary at the ministry of business, innovation and technology.

Also joining the line-up is Rukayyat Shittu, chair of the house committee on youth, sports, information, and tourism.

Speaking about the significance of the conference, Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, commissioner for education, noted, “For us, it’s about creating a platform where grassroots women can contribute to the development discourse in a way that results in actual change. These conversations are critical, not just for women, but for the country as a whole.”

The conference aims to bring together women from various sectors—business, politics, civil society, and academia—as well as grassroots community leaders and activists.

Discussions will center on how inclusive policymaking can drive sustainable development and better opportunities for women in Nigeria.

With over eight years of impactful engagement, the VOW Conference has become a leading platform for amplifying women’s voices in leadership, business, and social impact.