By Ogeyi Ebinyi
The Woman of Substance Conference and Awards 2026 brought together accomplished women from diverse professional fields in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, celebrating leadership, impact and collaboration among women.
The event featured an exhibition showcasing a variety of products and services, including pastries, Aso Oke bags in different colours and sizes, clothing, unisex slippers, natural oils, medical consultancy services and a photo booth.
In her welcome address, the Founder of the Woman of Substance initiative and Director-General of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), Chief Ify Onyebule, traced the history of the conference and explained that the awards segment was introduced this year to recognise women who have made remarkable contributions in their respective professions.
Speaking with journalists, Onyebule emphasised the importance of collaboration among women, noting that the narrative that women do not support one another is gradually fading.
“The time has passed when people say women do not support women. What you see in this room today shows women leaving their busy schedules to support this event. It is about collaboration and coming together to do great things,” she said.
She explained that the theme of the conference, “Give to Gain: The Power of Reciprocity and Support,” encourages women to uplift one another.
“Women need to give to other women, anything that can push another woman forward,” she added.
The event was hosted by Oluwatomisin Badewole, Executive Director of the Hope for the Masses Foundation, whose engaging presentation kept the audience actively involved throughout the programme. She noted that the conference theme, Give to Gain, aligns with the spirit of International Women’s Day, though it differs from the global theme adopted by UN Women, which focuses on justice and action for women and girls.
Delivering a keynote presentation on “Gender Inclusion as a Driver of Economic Advancement,” media personality and gender advocate Adaora Onyechere Sydney Jack, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, highlighted the role of women’s representation in governance and policymaking.
She told journalists that justice for women begins with inclusion in decision-making structures.
“Justice means inclusion, and inclusion means democracy. Representation in the parliament, the House of Representatives, state assemblies and the Senate is where it begins. When women are represented at the policy table, reforms translate to development at the community level,” she said.
She commended the conference for advancing conversations around women’s empowerment and was honoured with an award for her impactful work.
Health issues affecting women also featured prominently during the conference. Dr. Sunday Olowogbayi of the Fibroid Care Centre spoke on “Breaking the Silence: Understanding Fibroids and Every Woman’s Risk.” He explained that factors such as obesity and high estrogen levels can increase the likelihood of fibroids in women.
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He also highlighted High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a non-surgical treatment option that preserves the uterus and allows faster recovery compared to traditional surgery.
Among those recognised at the event was Olori Ranti Ajayi, Clinical Manager at NORDICA Fertility Centre, who received an award for her contributions to supporting couples on their fertility and family-building journey.
Amara Agbim, Managing Director of Nanny Academy, was also honoured for creating a system that facilitates the professional sourcing and training of caregivers in Nigeria. Other award recipients included Temitope Owoeye, Chief Executive Officer of LoveAfrik, for her contributions to women’s fashion, and Rose Mordi, founder of the Down Syndrome Foundation, for her global advocacy supporting families raising children with special needs.
Mordi dedicated her award to families of children with special needs and celebrated the recognition alongside her children on stage.
Veteran broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede, producer of the programme Frankly Speaking, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the media industry.
Speaking at the event, Oloyede underscored the importance of mentorship in shaping the next generation of women leaders.
“Mentorship is one strategic way women can raise younger women by sharing experiences and guiding them on how to be responsible and accountable,” she said.
Also speaking at the conference, Bodex Hungbo, Managing Director of Bodex Media, delivered a session titled “The Digital Advantage: How Women Can Leverage Media, Technology and Storytelling to Scale.”
Meanwhile, an award presented to Toyin Ademola for her work with the SAMI Sickle Cell Advocacy Management Initiative was received on her behalf by Yomi, who also conveyed congratulations to her as she marked her 60th birthday despite living with sickle cell.
Engineer Felicia Agubata, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a professional with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), was also honoured for her impact in the engineering sector.
The conference concluded with an inspiring message from Olori Janet Afolabi, a CNN award-winning journalist and Queen of the Apomu Kingdom in Osun State, who encouraged women to remain confident in their identity and purpose.
“If you know who you are, you will know who you are not. I am a daughter of Zion, a city set on a hill that cannot be moved. I am blessed, valuable and relevant,” she told the audience.
Afolabi received an award recognising her contributions to improving education and opportunities for rural women and children.
