Second Executive Woman Summit to Address Challenges for Women in Leadership

The second edition of The Executive Woman Summit will look into how workplace structures and career barriers stop more women from moving into executive roles and chief executive positions.

The organisers shared this focus during a media parley called “The Winning Playbook” on 30 September, ahead of the summit set for 28 October in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speakers at the event said companies need to do more than just hire women or put them on boards. They need to create clearer paths for women to reach senior management, influence decisions, and gain economic power.

The summit's theme is “Playing to Win: Elevate Your Vision, Value, and Visibility.” It will gather women executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and upcoming leaders.

Bola Matel-Okoh, the convener of TEWS and founder of BMO Advisory Services and the Women’s Lifestyle Hub, said we should not measure women's progress only by their numbers in organizations or leadership roles.

“We have been so focused on inclusion that now the conversation needs to shift from inclusion to actual participation, influence and economic equality,” she said.

Matel-Okoh pointed out that women might hold board positions but could still be underrepresented in senior and executive management roles, where many important decisions are made.

She urged organizations to create clearer career paths, especially for women who start in support functions like human resources and legal departments.

“Women are coming in, but what is the path that will reach that woman? Is it support systems, whether it’s legal, whether it’s human resources? So we have to put in systems now that women are being absorbed into organizations, into institutions with a clear path where they are going into CEO and senior management positions,” she said.

Matel-Okoh also encouraged women to understand and express the value they bring to their organizations. She emphasized that professional skills should be backed by strong visibility, good relationships, and measurable outcomes.

Folake Sanu, board chair and independent non-executive director, said women aiming for executive roles need to broaden their knowledge beyond their current professional areas.

She explained that senior leadership requires understanding market performance, customer experience, organizational strategy, and the financial side of a business.

“The path to CEO and executive is more in the numbers, and the numbers come from market space. The numbers come from customer experience, and the numbers also come from the fact that strategy is very key in business,” Sanu said.

She encouraged women to grasp the key performance indicators related to their roles, take on cross-functional tasks, and build strategic relationships.

Sanu also highlighted the importance of sponsorship for career growth, especially when senior leaders support qualified women for new opportunities and higher responsibilities.

Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, CEO and Managing Director of Z-Edge Limited, advised women not to see professional or personal setbacks as the end of their dreams.

“Failure is not the opposite of winning. Failure is part of winning. You cannot play to win if you are not willing to lose,” she said.

Atanda-Owo encouraged women to learn from setbacks in various areas while also helping those around them grow.

She stressed the need for continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning, saying that leadership should also be judged by the impact made on others.

Other speakers, like values and character strategist Izehi Anuge and Mabel Adeteye, Wema Bank's Head of Brands and Marketing Communications, pointed out that emotional intelligence, personal values, competence, and measurable impact are key parts of leadership.

The Executive Woman Summit was created to tackle the challenges women face while advancing and maintaining careers at senior levels.

The organisers aim to shift the conversation from just getting women into leadership roles to how they can be effective and influential leaders.

The summit will look at career development, leadership, wellbeing, influence, mentorship, networking, and the challenges of maintaining success at the highest levels of professional life.

The first edition took place in 2025 and brought together women executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and emerging leaders to discuss authentic leadership, resilience, self-awareness, and handling professional demands.

The upcoming edition will aim to help women show their value, boost their visibility, build strategic influence, and prepare for senior leadership positions.