African Women shift from seeking seats to building institutions, UBA panel says

African women are increasingly redefining leadership, entrepreneurship and influence across industries, according to speakers at a business forum hosted by United Bank for Africa Plc, who said the modern woman is no longer asking for a seat at the table but building institutions of her own.

The bank on Thursday hosted a new edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female entrepreneurs and professionals to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”

The hybrid event, held at the UBA House in Marina, Lagos and streamed globally, formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month. It explored how women across Africa are reshaping leadership, innovation and business while creating sustainable economic and social impact.

Opening the session, Michelle Nwoga, UBA’s Group head of Customer Experience, said the modern woman is increasingly assertive, vocal and intentional about her place in society.

“The evolved woman is one who is taking charge, volunteering and making her voice heard above the noise,” she said.

The discussion was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who described the concept of the evolved woman as a continuous journey rather than a fixed destination.

“When I think about the evolved woman, I don’t see a checklist or a finish point,” he said. “It is a woman who is grounded in her self-worth and gives room for other women to be grounded in theirs, choosing herself daily and helping others believe that they belong too.”

The panel featured Joycee Awosika, entrepreneur and founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Tomike Adeoye, media personality and digital entrepreneur, Olufunke Davies, founder of Fine-Funky; and Ayo Mario-Ese, award-winning broadcaster. Each shared personal experiences about their struggles, growth and transformation as business owners and leaders.

Awosika said the defining trait of the evolved woman is self-awareness and the ability to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table,” she said. “She is creating her own table and adding value. As your company grows, you must grow as well and constantly audit yourself to see how you can become a better leader.”

Adeoye said the traditional question about what women bring to the table has become outdated.

“Women are now bringing their own tables,” she said. “The evolved woman is vocal about her struggles, she sets standards and she refuses to give up on her dreams.”

Mario-Ese emphasised the importance of storytelling and visibility, warning that many women still hesitate to speak openly about their achievements.

“A lot of women are doing phenomenal work but are sometimes afraid to showcase what they are doing,” she said. “As an evolved woman, you have to find what you are comfortable doing, create your own unique offering and be open to collaboration.”

Davies, whose fashion business focuses on affordable yet distinctive products, said her entrepreneurial journey was shaped by her personal experiences growing up in poverty.

“There was a time in my life when I could not afford a one-thousand-naira handbag,” she said. “I remember borrowing my cousin’s bag just to take pictures. That experience shaped my mission to create products that are affordable but still unique.”

She said relatability and understanding customers’ realities have been key to her success.

“There are millions of women who come from backgrounds like mine,” she said. “They connect with my story and that connection has helped build a loyal community.”

Beyond individual success stories, the discussion also explored the broader evolution of women’s roles in society.

One speaker described the evolved woman as someone who refuses to be limited by traditional expectations.

“In my opinion, an evolved woman is a woman who doesn’t try to fit into boxes,” she said. “The generation before us fought for access to education and seats at the table, but our generation is building our own tables and creating industries that did not exist before.”

She also noted that women today are more open about the realities of entrepreneurship and personal challenges.

“In the past our parents masked their pain and struggles. Today women are more vocal. If something goes wrong, we are no longer ashamed to say it,” she said.

Another panelist said the journey toward gender equality remains ongoing despite progress.

“International Women’s Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in achieving gender equity,” she said. “But beyond the celebrations, we must ask how many women have truly stepped forward to claim their place.”

According to her, the most powerful step any woman can take is self-discovery.

“Understanding who you are, your strengths, your weaknesses and the value you bring to the world is deeply empowering,” she said. “Once you know that, you stop competing and start focusing on your own lane.”

Several speakers highlighted how the success of women today builds on the sacrifices of earlier generations.

“When I hear the phrase ‘evolved woman,’ I think about our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers,” one entrepreneur said. “Many of them endured enormous hardship so that we could have better opportunities.”

She recounted growing up in a single-room apartment with her family for nearly two decades, including a period when the roof of their home collapsed.

“That was the environment I grew up in, but I refused to let my circumstances define my future,” she said. “When I look at the girl I used to be and the woman I am today, that transformation is what I call evolution.”

Another speaker shared how she left a successful career at a Fortune 100 company in New York to build a business in Nigeria driven by purpose rather than financial security.

“It looked perfect on paper, stable income, strong earnings and career growth,” she said. “But I felt there was something more meaningful I needed to do.”

Her company has since expanded into a wellness and manufacturing ecosystem operating across multiple countries.

“We now have operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and the UAE,” she said. “The lesson is that your vision will evolve over time, and you must evolve with it.”

Speakers also emphasised the importance of mentorship, collaboration and lifting others as women rise.

“As an employer, every decision I make affects hundreds of people,” one entrepreneur said. “An evolved woman understands that when she rises, she creates opportunities for others to rise as well.”

The discussion also touched on the powerful role mothers play in shaping future generations.

“A mother is often the first example a child has of what it means to pursue dreams and face challenges,” one speaker said.

She shared how balancing family responsibilities, business commitments and public engagements often requires significant sacrifice.

“There are days I wake up at 2 a.m. to prepare for events because once I land in Lagos I go straight into the programme,” she said. “My daughter sees that dedication and learns that it is possible to pursue your dreams.”

She also described continuing to work through personal grief after losing her mother, saying resilience sends an important message to the next generation.

“Our children are watching how we live our lives,” she said. “As mothers, we are setting the standard.”

Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, said the discussion reflected the core mission of the bank’s Gen W initiative, a lifestyle platform designed to support women building careers, businesses and leadership roles.

“Raising each woman up is not as difficult as it seems,” she said. “Every woman has a story and a community. When we take our position, we create opportunities for others.”

She explained that the Gen W platform provides expert insights, practical resources and networking opportunities for women across industries.

“Through real stories and shared experiences, the platform connects women who are building brands, growing careers and leading across sectors,” Ladipo said. “It is open to every woman, no UBA account is required.”

UBA said the Business Series remains part of its broader strategy to empower entrepreneurs and support knowledge exchange across Africa.

By bringing together influential voices and practical experiences, the bank aims to inspire a new generation of women leaders and innovators across the continent and beyond.