At the 24th Annual WIMBIZ Conference, a powerful consensus emerged: Nigeria’s path to economic salvation is inextricably linked to the full integration of women into its leadership fabric. The event, a gathering of the nation’s most influential female leaders, framed the issue not as a social cause, but as a strategic economic necessity.
Keynote speaker Ms. Arunma Oteh, a global financial leader, set a tone of urgent pragmatism. She challenged the nation to take ownership of its future, stating that achieving this requires a fundamental shift in who is “in the room.” For Nigeria to meet its imperative of sustained 10% GDP growth—a benchmark she illustrated with China’s historic poverty reduction—it must leverage its entire talent pool.
“To engineer the kind of double-digit growth that lifts millions from poverty, you need a sense of urgency. And when you want that urgency, you need to bring women into the room,” Oteh asserted. She pinpointed the under-exploitation of Nigeria’s 40 mineral resources as a critical failure, linking it to a governance deficit that women leaders could help address.
The argument for female leadership was grounded in performance and risk management. “When female leaders are in charge, we make more collective progress on key issues,” Oteh stated, adding her belief that “women are actually better risk-takers than men,” a trait vital for navigating economic uncertainty.
This top-down approach was echoed by the Lagos State government, which showcased its own model. Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Commissioner Mrs. Folashade Ambrose highlighted that over 40% of the state’s executive council are women, leading key portfolios. “When women are at the decision table, societies are more stable, economies are more innovative, and outcomes are more sustainable,” she affirmed, presenting this not as a quota filled, but as a competitive advantage gained.
Adding a concrete policy dimension, tax reform chairman Taiwo Oyedele connected fiscal responsibility to empowerment. He outlined reforms designed to stimulate growth by providing relief to small businesses and low-income earners, thereby creating a more fertile ground for the female-led enterprises that are central to the economy.
The conference concluded with a resounding call to action: for Nigeria to own its future and achieve the radical growth it requires, it must stop treating women’s inclusion as an optional initiative and start recognizing it as the core strategy for survival and prosperity. As Oteh powerfully concluded, “When women do better, economies do better, and the world becomes a better place for everyone.”
