Women Demand Action on Leadership Inclusion at FUNAAB IWD Event

The Nigerian Association of University Women (NAUW), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Chapter, marked this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) with a virtual event on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Themed "Women and Leadership: Accelerate Action for Women Inclusivity," the event convened gender equality advocates, university officials, and the National President of NAUW, Prof. Comfort Onifade, to celebrate women’s achievements and push for increased representation in leadership roles.

Delivering the keynote address, the Vice-Chairman of ASUU-UNAAB, Dr. Nancy Okorie, emphasized that leadership transcends gender, centering on service, responsibility, and impact. She dismissed societal misconceptions that undermine women's capabilities, asserting that women are instrumental in governance, education, business, and healthcare. Dr. Okorie urged women to assert themselves in leadership positions, advocating for self-empowerment, mentorship, and resilience to overcome systemic challenges.

Identifying key barriers to women’s leadership, Dr. Okorie pointed out societal prejudices, lack of mentorship, and persistent stereotypes. She encouraged women to embrace transformational and inclusive leadership styles while urging institutions to foster environments that support female leaders. While acknowledging that FUNAAB has policies promoting women’s advancement, she called for more efforts to break the glass ceiling and ensure a female Vice-Chancellor emerges in the future.

In her welcome address, NAUW-FUNAAB President, Prof. Ayo-John, lauded the resilience and achievements of women while acknowledging the barriers they continue to face in leadership. She called for deliberate actions to dismantle systemic obstacles and implement policies that enhance women's empowerment. Prof. Ayo-John, who also serves as the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS) at FUNAAB, noted that while some African nations have made strides in electing female leaders, women’s representation in governance remains significantly low, with only four women currently in Nigeria’s 109-member National Assembly.

The speakers collectively agreed that accelerating women’s inclusivity in leadership requires concerted efforts, including challenging biases, amplifying women’s voices, and fostering a culture of inclusion. They reaffirmed their commitment to creating an equitable environment where women can lead, participate, and thrive.

As the event concluded, participants were reminded that promoting women’s leadership is not just about equality but about effectiveness. Research has consistently shown that organizations with more women in leadership demonstrate greater innovation, resilience, and profitability. The call to action was clear: women must rise, break barriers, and leave lasting imprints on society