Wife of Lagos State governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has said the state remained committed to inclusion, empowerment and progress, adding that women demonstrate strength, innovation and resilience across governance, entrepreneurship and public service.
Speaking at a forum tagged: The Executive Women Summit (TEWS) 2025 in Lagos convened by Mrs Bola Matel-Okoh, she said in Lagos, women occupy key government positions, reflecting the state’s shared commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and progress.
The summit had: ‘Leading From Within: An Authentic Approach to Leadership’ as its theme.
She lauded the summit for providing a platform where women leaders, innovators, and changemakers collaborate to inspire the next generation.
Represented by Mrs Tobe Ajomale, wife of a Lagos lawmaker, Dr Sanwo-Olu said true leadership is rooted in purpose, empathy, and integrity.
She stated that women demonstrate strength, innovation, and resilience across governance, entrepreneurship, and public service.
“In Lagos, women occupy key government positions, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and progress,” she said.
She added that the Office of the First Lady supports women, youth, and families through empowerment, mentorship, and welfare initiatives.
She encouraged every woman to keep breaking barriers, mentoring others, and leading with authenticity and compassion,” she added.
In her keynote, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Founder of the Chair Centre Group, said individuals are made up of many components and must represent their authentic selves.
“You are your authentic self. You consist of many elements, and you must represent who you are as a whole,” Awosika said.
She noted that the most authentic part of any leader is their value system, stressing the courage to live rightly and stand for justice even when unpopular.
She said: “The majority is not always right. Own your journey and your story.”
According to her, women can drive growth and positive change by leading with courage and collaboration.
Also speaking, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the former Vice President, said success is achieved by maintaining a laser focus on one’s mission.
She noted that such focus offers clarity and helps define achievable milestones.
Her message centred on the need to compartmentalise aspects of one’s identity depending on the platform being addressed.
She said: “Some people may enjoy simpler lives, eating chicken drumsticks and watching television. That is fine, but authenticity is being true to yourself.”
According to her, authenticity is about staying genuine to one’s values before, during, and after any position of prominence.
Mrs Matel-Okoh said Africa cannot afford leadership that “burns bright and burns out.”
She said while progress is visible, women still occupy only 27 per cent of parliamentary seats across sub-Saharan Africa.
“In the private sector, women’s representation declines sharply at senior levels. Across Africa, only nine per cent of CEOs and eight per cent of board chairs are women, though Nigeria leads with 10 per cent female CEOs among listed firms.
“The numbers show where women fall off the leadership pipeline. Our task is to design systems where executive women not only rise but remain,” she said.
Matel-Okoh added that TEWS 2025 offers practical solutions to leadership burnout and underscores authenticity as vital for long-term organisational success.
The event was hosted by Women Lifestyle Hub, founded by Matel-Okoh.
