Prominent leaders call on women to translate their voices into sustainable economic value and national transformation.
At the 10th Voice of Women Conference and Awards held in Lagos on Tuesday, notable Nigerian figures gathered to discuss the future of female leadership. Apostle Folorunso Alakija and Dr Stella Okoli challenged women to move beyond merely having a voice to actively building enterprises that drive societal change.
The high-profile event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address crucial issues surrounding gender inclusion, economic empowerment, and national development. Speakers emphasized that true influence requires deliberate action, capacity building, and strategic resource mobilization across various sectors.
According to information published by punchng, the milestone conference marked a decade of advocating for women rights, economic access, and greater representation in governance throughout Nigeria and beyond.
Moving from Voice to Tangible Influence
Apostle Folorunso Alakija, serving as the keynote speaker, stated that a voice by itself is only potential. She noted that visibility does not automatically equal true influence, urging Nigerian women to develop the necessary capacity to walk through open doors.
Alakija recalled her own diverse professional journey spanning office administration, banking, fashion, oil and gas, and philanthropy. She stressed that the primary question for modern leaders should focus on what remains after their departure.
Founder of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, Dr Stella Okoli, highlighted her business journey starting from a small retail pharmacy to local paracetamol production. She explained how obtaining a 6,000 Naira loan from FirstBank in 1985 helped launch her enterprise.
Okoli encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait for perfection before launching their ventures, emphasizing that a voice becomes truly powerful when it builds businesses, employs people, and solves national problems.
Empowering Grassroots Communities and Youth
Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, founder of the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation and Executive Director of Women Radio WFM 91.7, reflected on the decade-long evolution of the platform. She noted the shift toward tangible results in agriculture, technology, and governance.
Okewale-Sonaiya drew attention to the inspiring story of Oluwatobi Raji, a trauma survivor who educates over 150 out-of-school children in Ogun State. She appealed for philanthropic support to secure a permanent school facility for these vulnerable children.
Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele urged successful women to lift others as they rise, ensuring that individual progress creates wider opportunities. FirstBank CEO Segun Alebiosu added that women business owners require vital support in record-keeping, cash flow, and market access.
Redefining Gender Roles and Societal Expectations
Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, former First Lady of Ekiti State, challenged women to stop investing in their own oppression and to raise sons who respect women. She advocated for mutual respect, confidence, and stronger female solidarity in professional and personal relationships.
Participants also discussed the critical need for grassroots women, including those living with disabilities, to secure active representation in decision-making spaces. Leaders agreed that women must shape their own solutions rather than relying on others to speak for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who spoke at the 10th Voice of Women Conference in Lagos?
Apostle Folorunso Alakija delivered the keynote address, while Emzor founder Dr Stella Okoli and other prominent leaders like Toun Okewale-Sonaiya also spoke at the event.
What was Dr Stella Okoli message regarding business startups?
Dr Stella Okoli urged young women not to wait for everything before starting, recalling how she launched Emzor in 1985 with a 6,000 Naira loan from FirstBank.
What is the main goal of the Voice of Women Conference?
The conference aims to help women move beyond having a voice to creating economic value, driving social impact, and securing representation in national governance.
