Agunbiade launches book, advocates holistic empowerment for women

Princess Agunbiade, executive branding consultant and beauty queen, has recently launched her book, ‘Beauty, Brains and the Bag,’ at a well-attended event held in Lagos, calling on women to embrace their full identity without societal limitations.

The book launch tagged ‘The BBB Woman Experience’ was held at the Alliance Française de Lagos, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking at the launch, Agunbiade described the moment as deeply fulfilling, noting that the book had been a long time in the making.

“I just exhaled,” she said. “I’ve had this book in my belly for so long, and to finally put it into print and into people’s hands is a phenomenal feeling. It’s about doing something you said you would do. I feel confident and accomplished.”

The 320-page book, which took three years to complete, is described by the author as more than a conventional self-help guide. Instead, she presents it as a transformation manual designed to help women embrace their beauty, intelligence, and ambition without compromise.

Agunbiade explained that the inspiration for the book stemmed from personal experiences and frustrations, particularly the pressure on women to choose between being attractive, intelligent, or successful.

“I was always told to edit myself — to either be beautiful or be smart, to be ambitious or feminine,” she said. “But ambition has no gender. Women are expansive beings with many facets, and we don’t have to choose one side.”

According to her, the book is structured in five parts — permission, beauty, the “bag” (financial empowerment), brains, and integration — all aimed at helping women become whole and authentic versions of themselves.

In addition to the book, Agunbiade highlighted the role of the BBB (Beauty, Brains and the Bag) movement, a pre-existing mentorship community that inspired the publication. Through the initiative, she has worked with women over the years, helping them develop leadership capacity and self-confidence.

She noted that recurring hesitations among women in the community — particularly the tendency to downplay certain aspects of themselves — prompted her to document her teachings in a book format to reach a wider audience.

On the influence of social media, Agunbiade expressed concern over content that objectifies women, describing it as a reflection of societal gaps in empowerment.

“Those kinds of self-deprecating content reflect what society has permitted,” she said. “When women are not empowered, they may resort to such expressions. The solution is to provide women with the right tools, mentorship, and support to create meaningful paths.”

She added that her initiative would extend beyond the book, with planned outreach programmes in universities, expanded social media engagement, and nationwide tours aimed at reshaping perceptions about women.

“We want women to see themselves as more than objects — as leaders and change-makers,” she said. “When women are empowered, they can do fantastic things.”

Agunbiade revealed that the project has already seen significant reach, with thousands of copies in circulation across six cities in three countries, as she continues to push the message of holistic female empowerment.

The book launch marks a significant milestone in her advocacy journey, as she seeks to inspire women globally to embrace their full potential without limitations.

Omotayo Omotosho, a former director general, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), who doubles as the chairman of the event, commended the author and described her as a combination of brain, beauty, the bags, and a lady with audacity of purpose.

She urged participants to add value to the BBB Woman movement and compliment the effort of the author by ensuring the book gets into the hands of Nigerians and other nationalities across the globe.

Omotosho stressed the need for modern women to comport themselves and shun taking shortcuts to get the rich bags they desire, warning that the shortcuts don’t last.

Akin Akinpelu, Lead pastor, Eden Centre, said that the book came at a time when women were consciously rising and taking their place, not because it is a competition, but because it is what they ought to have lived up to all these years.

Miriam Elisha, a fashion designer, said the movement and the book represented the generation of bold women who are not afraid to take up space, but ready to put in the work, not just beauty, but the brain and the bags.