Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged women in leadership roles to intensify their efforts in empowering and mentoring younger women to foster greater female representation.
Speaking at the State House during a visit by the Forum of Female Chief Executive Officers of Government Agencies and Organisations on Friday, she described the CEOs as trailblazers uniquely suited to their positions and emphasised their responsibility to nurture the next generation of women leaders.
Nigeria, like many countries, continues to grapple with issues of gender inequality, particularly in leadership and economic empowerment.
Despite constitutional provisions and international commitments to gender equity, women remain underrepresented in politics, government, and executive roles.
Tinubu encouraged the women leaders to leave a lasting legacy by mentoring others, drawing inspiration from iconic Nigerian matriarchs such as Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Gambo Sawaba, and Abibat Mogaji.
“Invest in others by mentoring them and replicating your success in younger women to build a stronger collective,” she said, urging the CEOs to make impactful contributions beyond their official duties.
“We have to come together, better and stronger than them are. We have to ensure that we make life easier for women. Mentor young women, give scholarships, and take one person through life. Don’t look for the volume,” she stated.
On her decision to call for partnership in the completion of the National Library, the First Lady said the project would go a long way in helping indigent students in their educational pursuits.
In her remarks, the leader of the Forum, Director General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri Erewa, emphasised that they do not take the opportunity to serve the nation lightly and would continue to champion the course of good governance and service to the people.
“As a group, Your Excellency, we do not take our mandates lightly and are sincerely grateful to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for deeming us fit and proper to hold our respective offices, and that is why we are here to pledge our support to the Administration and to you as the First Lady of the Nation.
“We commend your Renewed Hope Initiatives. Your dedication to women’s empowerment is truly inspiring. Your efforts at women’s inclusion and ensuring women’s voices are heard are noteworthy. Your support for women’s rights and gender equity, and initiatives that uplift women. As a group and also as individuals, we affirm our commitment and unflinching support for your initiatives”.
“We pledge to work collaboratively with your office as you continue to foster unity amongst women from diverse backgrounds, drive progress, and implement initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and national development.
“We pledge our solidarity and support for the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President, and we will assiduously work for his success in the 2027 election,” she said.
24 female CEO’s heading various government agencies and organisations were in the Villa for the visit.
