WIMBIZ: Women must own their journeys to transform nations — Okonjo-Iweala, Arunma Oteh, others

By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has called on women to act as models of leadership with a renewed vision to take charge of their destinies and drive transformation across business, governance, and society.

Okonjo-Iweala in her short remarks at the 24th Annual Conference of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ with the theme, Own, Walk, and Nurture, OWN, disclosed that to own is to take responsibility; to walk is to lead with courage; and to nurture is to lift others as we rise.

The event was attended by over 3000 women both physically and virtually from different walks of life, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to explore how women can take ownership of their journeys, walk in purpose, and nurture lasting impact for future generations.

Also speaking, the former World Bank Treasurer, Dr. Arunma Oteh, charged women to own their journey to transform nations as they are seen as trailblazer. Adding that when women own their journey, nations prosper.

In her keynote address, Oteh urged that the Nigerian women must deliberately own their journeys and play active roles in unleashing the nation’s extraordinary potential.

Oteh disclosed that, women must be deliberate about owning a journey, walking in purpose and nurturing a bright future for generations to come is the only way Nigeria can thrive in the unprecedented world of today.

Oteh, who led the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, lauded WIMBIZ’s advocacy for women’s representation, saying its programs have amplified the collective voice of women in national leadership.

“For me, one of the most important achievements of WIMBIZ is the collective advocacy that has enabled a better understanding of the value of women’s participation in nation building and in holding leaders accountable,” she stated.

Oteh lamented the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political structure, describing it as “unacceptable” that the country ranks 143rd out of 144 nations in women’s political participation.

“We must all become politically active. We cannot continue to say we are unhappy with what happened before and stay away. When women lead, societies make greater progress,” she urged.

She called on more women to contest elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Highlighting the theme “Own, Walk, Nurture”, Oteh emphasized that Africa’s wealth must be channeled toward the prosperity of its people. She decried the continent’s dependence on extractive economies, urging Nigeria to diversify through technology, mineral industrialization, and inclusion.

“We must change that narrative by owning our economic journey,” she said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, described the WIMBIZ platform as “a beacon of authenticity and empowerment” while relating the theme to fiscal responsibility and economic ownership.

“Owning your story means making informed decisions without being swayed by narratives. It’s about authenticity in business, in leadership, and even in your tax obligations,” he said.

Oyedele clarified misconceptions around Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, assuring that the new policies would reduce tax burdens for small businesses and low-income earners starting from 2026.

“From next year, businesses with annual revenue below N100 million will pay 0% corporate tax, no VAT, and no withholding tax. These reforms are designed to provide relief and level the playing field,” he explained.

He added that the government has rolled out 50 new reliefs and exemptions to cushion economic pressure, while encouraging women entrepreneurs to obtain tax identification numbers to benefit fully from the reforms.

“Nobody will take money from your account. Compliance simply helps you access opportunities. This is how developed nations grow,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose representing the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended WIMBIZ for its sustained role in inspiring women’s leadership since 2001.

“This platform has become synonymous with empowerment, excellence, and elevation of women in leadership. Lagos is proud to host it again,” she said.

Describing the theme as a “philosophy for leadership and a call to action,” the commissioner reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to gender inclusion.

“Under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, over 40 percent of the state’s Executive Council members are women, and more than half of the permanent secretaries are female. These are competent professionals driving policy and service delivery,” she said.

She disclosed that the state is introducing unconscious bias awareness tools and gender sensitivity frameworks across ministries to promote equitable hiring and decision-making.

“When women rise, economies grow. When women lead, communities thrive. And when women own, walk, and nurture, nations transform,” she concluded.

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