Kemi Ajumobi 
1. Kemi Ajumobi
There is a lot to leadership than we know. It means to be on the driver’s seat. The question is, where are you driving to? Why should we follow? Why should people hop into your ride? Are you leading aright? If you are able to answer these questions, then the understanding of leadership dwells in you, because to lead, it means you are going somewhere and if you aren’t able to articulate and show it, then where are we being led to? More than half of the world’s problems will be resolved if leadership is right. Seeking solutions to these and more is what we shall be discussing at Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) Conference Series 14 themed ‘Leadership Redefined, Charting New Paths To Excellence. Our panels are thought provoking and each speaker is ready to unleash.
From the importance of transformational leadership to the pursuit of excellence and the commitment to lead, we are going right into the nitty-gritty. These are the type of discussions IWA propagates.
In case you are wondering why we chose to focus on leadership, the answer is simple, there is no better time than now.
See you on the 11th of December. Clock it!
2. Former Pres. H.E Sahle-Work Zewde
Former President of Ethiopia
I am pleased and filled with enthusiasm to join you in Lagos for the Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) Series 14. This year’s theme, “Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence”, could not be more timely or essential. We are in a season where constituencies are demanding more than mere
management, they seek meaning, integrity and visionary stewardship. We are faced with our continent demanding a leadership style that navigates complex transitions, champion inclusive agendas like the Women, Peace and Security framework among other things and that is transformational and compassionate. This is a time where collaboration, interdisciplinary and inclusive approaches are needed to solve the current challenges. Leadership is redefined by a practical necessity of collective success.
To navigate this season correctly, it requires leading from principle, not persona. It means wielding influence to mend, mentor, and magnify the voices of others, especially women and youth. I look forward to sharing reflections from my own journey, from diplomacy to the presidency, on how we can attempt to manage building a lasting legacy of collective empowerment and purposeful excellence.
3. H.E IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM fsi
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development
The theme speaks to the power of leadership and how as leaders, we must chart courses that leave the trail of excellence. Excellence in our words, excellence in our actions, excellence in our homes, work, nation and the world. The theme is also revelatory of how charting the right path can lift women to greater heights by courage, direction and optimism. Excellence is achievable and I know that at IWA14, we will dissect ways to achieve this through the impactive sessions we shall be having.
The truth is, to achieve excellence, there are barriers, especially for women and girls, it is why the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence we are wrapping up for 2025 will always need to be at the front burner but with the collective effort of women around the world, supported by society and institutions, this message will one day yield the fruits we all hope for and put an end to violence against women and girls.
As I look forward to IWASeries14, I believe the inspiration we need as leaders will flow through the stories of the distinguished speakers as we all work together to better our lives as individuals and our country as a whole. Excellence is achievable. Together we can and we should.
4. Mohammed Mustapha Bintube
Chairman, Farinruwa Power Limited
The theme “Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence” captures the critical urgency of our current moment. True excellence today cannot rely on inherited or rigid frameworks; it demands courage, radical adaptability, and a purpose that fundamentally transcends immediate returns. Our panel, “Visionary Leadership in Transformative Times,” will explore how this redefined leadership acts as the indispensable engine of change.
A truly visionary leader doesn’t just manage the present; they anticipate the future, proactively building resilient, integrated systems and forging cross-sector partnerships; be it across banking, energy, or governance that accelerate transformation. The discussions at IWA are incredibly timely because the complex challenges facing our economies and institutions require leaders who are not merely reactive but architects of sustained value creation. We stand at a pivotal moment where synthesising diverse, high-level experience is paramount to unlocking equitable and sustainable growth. The insights shared will not only challenge conventional thinking but also provide practical blueprints for leaders to align their teams, embrace necessary accountability, and achieve genuine, long-term excellence for the continent. This is about building a legacy, not just running an operation.
5. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú
Through the years in various capacities I have served, I have seen clearly how leadership manifests in different cultures and territories. Transformational leadership recognises the need for change, the type that encourages us to rise above all limits and embrace optimism and results that speak. Leadership is about listening and learning, growing and gathering, gathering information that will transform one’s life, then the people, communities and by extension, nations. It is about positive collaboration for better results.
I trust that the Inspiring Woman Africa Conference’s 14th edition will shed more light on this and that the conversations we shall be having on the 11th of December will bring long lasting results that will better our nations and who we represent.
6. Tonye COLE, mni
Co-Founder, Sahara Group
There is no better time to talk about leadership than now, and as leaders we all must lead with empathy, precision and intentionality. The theme for this year ‘Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence’ gives an opportunity for us all to share our experiences and opinion on the theme.
Transformational leadership is beyond words, it means you are at the fore of igniting change that must transcend you, oftentimes from the midst of adversity.
Co-Founding Sahara Group was the decision that has impacted the sector greatly. But what was truly transformational was rising from the abyss of bankruptcy very early in our history to remolding the company to what it is today.
It began from the place of purpose where we agreed on the changes we want to see but above all it took teamwork and unshakable faith in God.
From building teams and encouraging collaborations, to honouring views from staff, all of that and more show how positive transformation can impact an organisation.
As a business leader, I understand the power of numbers but there is more to results than numbers, it is about creating opportunities for the team to show their opinion matters and their imput is welcome. Leaders must exhibit this.
I am looking forward to the discussions at Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) Series 14, it is going to be transformational. Well done to the IWA team, you are leading a worthy and commendable course.
7. Obafemi Banigbe
CEO, T2
Leadership Redefined speaks to the moment we find ourselves in as a nation; one where traditional leadership models are no longer sufficient. Over the years, I’ve learnt that effective leadership is not anchored in position, but in the ability to create clarity, build systems that endure, and inspire people to rise to their full potential. In these times, Nigeria needs leaders with resilience, agility, and the courage to chart new paths forward.
As I join the panel on Visionary Leadership in Transformative Times, I look forward to engaging with an exceptional group of leaders whose experiences cut across diplomacy, finance, enterprise, and other critical sectors. Their diversity mirrors the multifaceted challenges and opportunities before Nigeria today. These are voices who understand that transformation requires both strategic discipline and a willingness to rethink old assumptions.
What I hope our discussion contributes is a more focused leadership mindset, one that values collaboration, embraces innovation, and is grounded in integrity and service. If we can help strengthen the culture of leadership across business and public life, even incrementally, the ripple effect on Nigeria’s growth and stability could be profound. My personal commitment is to continue championing the kind of leadership that builds, unites, and positions our nation for a more competitive and equitable future.
8. Chinwe Iloghalu
Acting MD/CEO of NOVA Bank
As a woman in leadership, I embody excellence in action. I am committed to lead by example, inspiring younger women to forge their paths and strive for greatness. Our stories can be powerful role models, motivating others to pursue leadership roles and challenge traditional expectations. Let’s instil confidence in one another, no matter where we are on our journeys . It’s never too late or too early to start anew. Nigeria is positioned to become a major power in Africa; it is clear that women will continue to contribute significantly to nation building in the years to come. Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) presents an excellent opportunity and platform to ignite the spirit of leadership and action required to achieve sustainable development in Africa.
9. Aishah N. Ahmad, CFA, OFR
Former Deputy Governor, CBN
Soniya Asusu Nupe
Leaders across Africa are navigating an unprecedented moment of change, uncertainty, and possibility—economic shifts, new technologies, and rising expectations from citizens and institutions alike. In this environment, Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence is a timely call to reconsider how we show up as leaders in a period of transformation unlike anything our generation has witnessed. It urges us to move beyond traditional models toward a style anchored in clarity of purpose, courage, and service.
The panel on Visionary Leadership in Transformative Times speaks directly to this reality. Vision today is less about predicting the future and more about shaping the systems, choices, and partnerships that enable better futures to emerge. It demands leaders who can navigate disruption with steadiness, communicate with honesty, and mobilise people around solutions that are both ambitious and humane.
Having led across the private, public, and non-profit sectors, I look forward to offering perspectives that may resonate with leaders grappling with similar questions: how to strengthen institutions, widen opportunity, and ensure innovation and reform that genuinely improve people’s lives. These conversations matter for the future of our societies and the communities we serve.
My hope is that the discussions at IWA14 sparks a renewed commitment to purposeful leadership—deepening collaboration across sectors and inspiring a generation of leaders, especially women, to guide our country and continent with wisdom, clarity, and resolve.
10. Dr. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo (PhD)
International Corporate Executive
Founder, The LightHouse Network
Leadership redefined, to me, is about clarity of purpose and courage of conviction. It is about recognising that in today’s world — especially across Africa — excellence isn’t born in hierarchy, but in how we empower others to think, act, and grow.
Having led teams across diverse markets, I’ve seen that the best leaders are those who find a good balance between the head and the heart, listening deeply but interrogating the data before them, those who create spaces for others to shine.
Leadership is no longer about being the loudest voice in the room, but the one that sets direction, builds trust, and delivers consistent value for collective progress.
11. Dr. Busola Tejumola (PhD)
Executive Head, General Entertainment Channels, MultiChoice Group
Redefining leadership is not merely about imagining new possibilities, it is about the courage to live them out. The moment I made the commitment to lead, I committed to embodying excellence through my actions, my choices, and the impact I intend to leave behind. I have learnt that true leadership requires both vision and execution: the ability to rethink old models, and the discipline to consistently deliver outcomes that uplift others.
Excellence, in this sense, becomes more than a goal, it becomes a daily discipline. It is the commitment to show up with integrity, to make decisions that elevate others, and to intentionally nurture environments where people and ideas can thrive. Leadership is ultimately an act of responsibility, one that demands consistency, accountability, and heart.
As we convene at the 2025 Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) Conference, I am excited about the shared insight, strength, and purpose that emerge when African women gather. My hope is that our conversations will move beyond inspiration and lead to tangible shifts – fostering bolder leadership, strengthening our institutions, and influencing policies that improve outcomes for Nigerian women, businesses, and communities.
Truth is, if we succeed, the ripple effect will be felt far beyond this room. We will help shape a Nigeria where excellence becomes a collective culture, and leadership is transformed in ways that truly serve the next generation.
12. Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu
Majority Leader Kaduna State 10th Assembly
I am very much endeared to the theme of IWA SERIES 14, Leadership Redefined:Charting New Paths To Excellence. Of particular importance to me is the theme of my panel: EXCELLENCE IN ACTION, I COMMITTED TO LEAD. How apt.
Being the Majority Leader of the Kaduna State 10th Assembly, the sole female representative in Kaduna State House Of Assembly and the entire North West, serving the people of Lere East Constituency in Lere Local Government in Kaduna State clearly shows that indeed, I am committed to lead. I am tempted to say the IWA team had me in mind when they chose this.
Breaking the proverbial glass ceiling as a woman from Northern Nigeria takes courage and commitment. Of course it does come with its challenges, but I use challenges as stepping stones to achieve the goals I promised my people I would deliver to them.
I am humbled to be on this path but more women are needed in leadership, so that together we can chart this course that permeates through barriers, and goes beyond gender into hearts that understand that this is a responsibility of the collective, which is to impact lives, lives of men, women, boys and girls and the society at large.
I have no doubt in my mind that IWA Series 14 is going to lead a shift that will inspire the desire for a higher level of growth of our beloved country Nigeria.
13. Patricia Obozuwa
Managing Director, Nigeria Global Reputation Management Project
The theme of IWA14 ‘Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence’ speaks deeply to me in this moment. It is a call to move beyond traditional notions of authority and embrace a model of leadership rooted in clarity, courage, and collective impact. And the panel I will be speaking on, ‘Empowered for Excellence: I Am Driving Change’ reinforces something I believe strongly. Excellence is not accidental. It is built through intentional action and the confidence to lead from wherever we stand.
As I prepare for IWA14, I look forward to conversations that are honest, forward-looking, and solutions-driven. Conversations that move us from highlighting problems to spotlighting the extraordinary strength, creativity, and innovation that Nigerians demonstrate every day. I hope our dialogue inspires more women and young leaders to step forward, to claim their space, and to understand that true leadership is defined by actions and the impact on others.
Ultimately, the impact I hope these discussions will yield is a renewed understanding that Nigeria’s path to excellence will be shaped by the leaders we cultivate today. If we can ignite confidence, align our collective strengths, and empower more people to drive change, then the ripple effect on our institutions, our economy, and our global reputation will be transformative for our country.
14. Folake Soetan
CEO Ikeja Electric
‘Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence’ resonates with me because genuine leadership in Nigeria’s power sector cannot rely on inherited playbooks. Progress demands the courage to rethink long-accepted norms and rebuild the systems that no longer serve our aspirations. Excellence becomes meaningful only when it reshapes how we work, serve, and deliver value to the millions who depend on us every day.
With that in mind, the panel theme, “Empowered for Excellence, I am Driving Change” captures the personal commitment that has shaped my journey. When I joined the sector, my first goal was to understand it for myself. The complexity, gaps, and opportunities pushed me to lead with intentionality rather than assumption. True empowerment comes from knowledge, competence, and the willingness to act decisively, even when the environment is uncertain. At Ikeja Electric, those values influence how we build resilient teams, strengthen our processes, and uphold a service culture anchored in responsibility.
Consequently, I approach IWA14 with high expectations. The conversations ahead should go beyond celebrating leadership; they should challenge us to elevate the standards we set for our institutions and ourselves. Nigeria needs leaders who think boldly, communicate honestly, and execute with discipline. If our discussions inspire that level of commitment, then the outcome will extend far beyond this conference. It will drive a shift towards greater accountability, improved service delivery, and a more confident nation ready to demand and deliver excellence at every level.
15. Abe Jawando
Executive Senior Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics
This theme speaks directly to my lived experience. For me, leadership has never been about gathering followers but about developing people who can stand on their own feet, see with their own eyes, lead with their own conviction and multiply impact long after their season with me.
Charting New Paths to Excellence is my commitment to build structures and systems so strong, so intentional and so enduring that those coming behind me will go further because I went first.
I’m looking forward to the kind of conversations that stretch thinking, elevate standards and remind us why leadership must evolve. I’m excited to connect with leaders who are ready to redefine and also model what excellence looks like.
I hope these conversations will help us create a leadership culture in Nigeria that is inclusive, ethical and future-focused. I would like to see our discussions translate into stronger systems, gender-inclusive leadership and a new cadre of leaders who understand that their influence must extend beyond personal success to national transformation.
16. Chinyere Okorocha
Partner & the Overall Head of Sectors at Jackson, Etti & Edu
‘Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence’ is a theme that speaks deeply to me, because it calls us to move beyond slogans and truly rethink how we support women to rise.
“Empowered for Excellence, I Am Driving Change” captures my personal commitment. Being empowered, to me, means giving every woman the tools she needs not just to survive, but to thrive. Too often in the corporate world we treat women as one-size-fits-all, but our realities are very different. The priorities of a young unmarried woman, a mother with small children, and a woman whose children are grown are not the same.
Empowerment is not preferential treatment. An empowered woman will deliver results. It is less about how late she stays in the office and more about the quality of her contribution, the impact she makes, and whether she is supported to bring her best self to the table.
I am looking forward to honest, practical conversations at IWA14 that recognise women’s different strengths and seasons, and show how organisations can create room for all of us to excel. My hope is that these discussions become a roadmap for more inclusive workplaces and, ultimately, for a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
17. Ozim Ibeziako
Executive General Counsel, Africa, GE Vernova
‘Leadership Redefined: Charting new paths to excellence’ for me means re-evaluating how we lead, learn and inspire others to be better versions of themselves, breaking out of traditional moulds. It evokes in me, an excellent mindset to deliver efficiently, cutting out waste, and fuelling growth. Reflecting on the panel that I am moderating: EXCELLENCE IN ACTION, I COMMITTED TO LEAD, I see intentional commitment in leading for posterity. For me, it is also the courage to be vulnerable, recognising our humanity when we miss the mark, knowing that it is not a call to perfection, but rather, a charge to show up with the best version of yourself, prepared to give it your best shot, such that your impact would still linger, long after you are gone.
18. Abiola Adediran
Partner at Genea Family Office
‘Leadership Redefined: Charting New Paths to Excellence’ speaks deeply to me because it mirrors the journey I’ve lived across consulting, wealth management, and family business advisory. True leadership is no longer about titles or hierarchy; it is about vision, stewardship, courage, and the ability to create structures that outlive us. In my work with entrepreneurs, executives, and business families, I have seen that leadership fails when it is self-serving — and thrives when it is rooted in purpose, integrity, and impact.
That is why the panel I’m moderating, ‘Empowered for Excellence: I Am Driving Change’, is so important. It reflects my core belief that every woman carries the capacity to shift systems, build enterprises, and influence generations when she steps into her power with clarity and intention. Excellence is not an event; it is a culture. And empowerment is not what we receive — it is what we decide to embrace.
My expectation for this conference is that it will spark honest, transformative conversations that challenge outdated mindsets and elevate a new generation of African women leaders. I hope our discussions move beyond inspiration into practical frameworks that help women lead boldly, manage wealth wisely, build sustainable institutions, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
If we get this right, Nigeria will benefit from stronger businesses, more ethical leadership, and women who are confident architects of the future. This is the kind of leadership I stand for — and the future I am committed to shaping.