TEXEM, a UK based executive development organisation, is celebrating International Women’s Day with a strong call for greater investment in women’s leadership, describing it as a strategic imperative for stronger institutions, better governance and sustainable national development.
In a statement, TEXEM said the growing influence of women across boardrooms, parliaments, financial institutions and civic organisations was no longer a peripheral development but a defining force in shaping the future of leadership.
The organisation noted that recent scholarship in Harvard Business Review had strengthened the case for investing in women leaders, showing that leadership teams with stronger female representation often benefit from sharper strategic debate, stronger innovation outcomes, deeper accountability and more resilient organisational cultures.
According to TEXEM, the evidence is increasingly clear that when women lead, institutions gain.
It said companies benefit from improved performance and broader market insight, governments benefit from stronger policy design and citizen trust, while civil society organisations benefit from more inclusive problem solving and greater social impact.
TEXEM Founder, Dr Alim Abubakre, said empowering women with strategic insight, ethical grounding and the confidence to lead boldly had consequences far beyond representation.
He said institutions become wiser, societies become stronger and progress accelerated for everyone when women are equipped to lead with clarity and courage.
TEXEM said its alumni network offered compelling proof of this reality, with women leaders across multiple sectors translating executive learning into measurable value for their organisations and communities.
Among those recognised by the organisation is Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, whose work advances peacebuilding, democratic consolidation and leadership dialogue across West Africa.
Also celebrated is Chinwe Iloghalu, Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nova Bank, whose stewardship reflects a strong commitment to responsible banking, institutional trust and strategic growth within Nigeria’s financial sector.
Tonye Ukpong, Managing Director of Total Health Trust Limited, was recognised for her contribution to strengthening healthcare access and operational excellence in Nigeria’s health insurance ecosystem.
Bolanle Hajara, a Director at the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly Federal Inland Revenue Service, was commended for her role in supporting fiscal governance, revenue administration and economic stability through public service.
Busola Abidakun, a Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Government, was acknowledged for strengthening policy coordination and public sector delivery in one of Africa’s most influential subnational economies.
TEXEM also celebrated Sunkanmi Oyegbola, Permanent Secretary at the Public Service Office of Lagos State, for her contribution to civil service effectiveness, workforce capability and institutional reform.
Sen. Idiat Adebule, who represents Lagos West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was recognised for her contribution to legislative oversight, education advocacy and inclusive national development.
Nkem Egboma, a former Chief Financial Officer at 9mobile, who now contributes strategic expertise within Seplat Energy’s tax leadership, was praised for demonstrating excellence across telecommunications, energy finance and fiscal governance.
The organisation highlighted Chidinma Ezechukwu, Head of Strategy and Business Transformation at Rex Insurance, for driving change initiatives that align operational performance with long term strategic ambition.
Yomi Otaigbe of Channels Television was recognised for strengthening democratic accountability and public discourse through credible and professional journalism.
Comfort Akinbode, Assistant Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, was commended for her contribution to regulatory oversight and financial system stability.
Salome Danjuma of The Wheatbaker Hotel was celebrated for leading premium wellness and hospitality experiences that reinforce service excellence in Nigeria’s luxury sector.
Lucy Ameh, Head of Insurance at the Nigeria Police Force, was recognised for supporting welfare protection and risk management for personnel within a critical national institution.
Olatunbosun Olajumoke, Deputy General Manager for Marketing and Business Development, was acknowledged for advancing market expansion, stakeholder engagement and revenue growth through strategic leadership.
Mariam Awodun, Head of Human Resources at Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited, was commended for strengthening talent development, organisational culture and professional excellence in the pensions sector.
Ngozi Mbonuike, Quality Assurance Manager at Intercontinental Distillers Limited, was recognised for promoting product integrity, compliance and operational excellence in manufacturing.
Rabia Wanka, Deputy Manager for Strategic Alliances and Partnerships at NEXIM Bank, was celebrated for supporting export finance partnerships that promote trade expansion and economic diversification.
Chidinma Obiejesi, Group Head of Human Resources at Megalectrics and Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, was praised for advancing workforce strategy, professional standards and people centred leadership.
Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, who represents Kosofe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, was recognised for advancing gender inclusion, community development and legislative innovation.
TEXEM said the women exemplified how expertise, integrity and strategic insight could be translated into meaningful impact across finance, governance, media, corporate transformation, public administration and social development.
The organisation added that their collective journey also underscored the importance of continuous leadership development, noting that its programmes were designed to challenge executives to rethink strategy, strengthen governance and lead with courage in uncertain times.
It said the true value of executive education becomes evident when leaders return to their organisations with sharper judgement, deeper insight and stronger networks that help them deliver enduring value.
TEXEM stressed that investing in women’s leadership was not simply about expanding representation, but about strengthening governance systems, unlocking innovation and building institutions capable of navigating complexity with confidence.
According to the organisation, International Women’s Day should, therefore, serve not only as a moment of celebration but also as a strategic reminder that the future of organisations and nations will increasingly depend on leaders who combine competence with conscience, strategy with service and vision with disciplined execution.
It added that the achievements of its alumni show that the pathway to stronger institutions and more prosperous societies was already being shaped by women who lead with wisdom, resilience and purpose.
TEXEM said their stories offer a timely lesson for decision makers across the public, private and development sectors that when women rise into leadership prepared, principled and empowered, entire societies move forward.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
