By Grace Alegba
Stakeholders have called on African women to prioritise building enduring institutions, embrace bold leadership and strengthen visibility to drive sustainable economic growth and inclusive development across the continent.
They made the call at the sixth edition of the Ascent Club’s Top 100 Career Women in Africa Awards and Gala in Lagos which drew participation from across the continent.
The event tagged: “Power, Presence and Prestige,” featured award presentations, unveiling of the 2026 edition of the Accent Magazine, keynotes, panel discussions, cultural displays, among other activities.
Inaugurated in 2021, the Top 100 Career Women in Africa is a prestigious recognition platform that celebrates bold, pioneering women making impact in the corporate sector.
Delivering a keynote speech, Mrs Yemi Adesanya, Financial Controller, FirstBank Nigeria, urged women leaders to move beyond individual success and focus on building systems and institutions that outlast them and shape long-term economic outcomes.
Adesanya said while performance and visibility remained important, sustainable impact depended on deliberate efforts to design structures, embed values and develop leadership pipelines that endure.
She said that thriving institutions were built through consistent investment in people, particularly women who combined competence with strong ethical foundations.
She highlighted initiatives such as FirstGem and the First Women Network as platforms supporting women’s financial growth and leadership development, adding that, Africa’s future depended on leaders capable of building resilient systems.
Another keynote speaker, Mrs Adanma Uduanochie, Joint Venture Asset Manager at Shell, emphasised the need for courageous leadership, visibility and strong professional networks.
Uduanochie said leadership was defined by the ability to make difficult decisions with clarity and resilience, especially during periods of uncertainty.
She said women must move beyond silent performance to actively occupy decision-making spaces, noting that visibility, confidence and authenticity were critical to leadership.
She added that strong networks increased the likelihood of attaining executive roles and encouraged women to intentionally build relationships and support one another.
According to her, inclusive leadership remained central to building resilient organisations, citing progress in female representation within Shell’s global operations.
Also speaking, Mrs Sophie Mbakwe, the EVP of Business Services at NNPC Ltd, urged women to take responsibility for their careers, embrace challenges and build institutions that deliver lasting impact.
Mbakwe said leadership required courage, resilience and consistent presence, adding that success was defined by results, integrity and influence rather than titles.
She highlighted the “Women in NNPC (WIN) Initiative” aimed at strengthening mentorship, sponsorship and leadership readiness among female employees.
She emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving economic growth and called on women to support one another through mentorship and strategic networking.
Panelists at the event identified generational gaps in the workplace, noting that younger professionals were often perceived as less committed, while older generations were seen as underestimating the creativity and innovation of younger workers.
They stressed the need to balance performance with visibility, urging early-career professionals to build credibility while developing personal brands and influence.
The panel also highlighted emotional intelligence, mentorship and executive sponsorship as critical drivers of career growth across generations.
In her remarks, Dr Gloria Edozien, Founder of Ascent Club, said the “Top 100 Career Women in Africa” initiative was designed to spotlight, recognise and reward exceptional women across the continent.
She noted that many women remained under-recognised despite their contributions, limiting their access to leadership and boardroom opportunities.
According to her, the programme, now in its sixth year, has recorded significant impact, with past recipients advancing to C-level positions, gaining global recognition and securing international opportunities.
Edozien explained that the selection process was independent, beginning with open nominations and followed by rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges across Africa.
She said nominees were assessed based on leadership capacity, measurable achievements, thought leadership and commitment to giving back to society.
She reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to strengthening women’s representation in leadership and promoting transformative contributions within Africa’s corporate and institutional landscape.
She thanked sponsors of the event including FirstBank and NNPC Ltd promising that the next edition in 2027 will hold in another African country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
