The 2025 International Woman Leadership Conference (TIWLC) concluded its Dubai edition with a strong focus on the economic imperative of women’s leadership. Held annually in March in celebration of Women’s History Month, the conference is an initiative of the Ibukun Awosika Leadership. The event drew over 600 delegates from across Africa, Europe, North America, the UAE, and the Caribbean, underscoring its growing global influence.
This year’s theme, “Woman In Leadership… Living The Dream,” provided a framework for robust discussions centered on visionary leadership, strategic collaboration, and the importance of intentional professional growth. The event served as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, connecting women with the potential to drive significant economic change.
A core message of TIWLC 2025 was the recognition that empowering women is not simply a social good but a critical driver of economic growth. The event emphasised the need for actionable strategies to support women’s participation in business and leadership, equipping delegates with tools to foster change within their organizations and communities.
The success of TIWLC 2025 was underpinned by the support of key partners, including Dubai Tourism, Excel Exploration and Production, Afrieximbank, Bank of Industry Nigeria, and GText Holdings.
Read also: TIWLC 2025: Ibukun Awosika inspires women to live the dream
Keynote addresses from prominent figures such as Fola Adeola, Co-founder of GTBank and Chairman of FATE Foundation, highlighted the power of collaboration in amplifying women’s achievements. Industry leaders, including Lucy Quist, a Financial Services & Telecoms Executive and Author, as well as Leadership Expert & Global Speaker Dr. Sam Adeyemi, provided insights into navigating corporate leadership and leveraging influence at all levels.
Panel discussions featured experts like Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of African Leadership Group, and Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer at MTN Nigeria, exploring the evolving dynamics of leadership, entrepreneurship, and talent management. The conference also showcased the experiences of influential women in business and public life, such as Nike Akande (Two-time Minister of Industry, Federal Republic of Nigeria) and Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (Managing Director, Fidelity Bank), Tara Fela-Durotoye (Founder, House of Tara International) who attended as conference delegates and were able to connect with other women, offering valuable lessons on career advancement, strategic networking, and personal effectiveness.
The event’s convener, Ibukun Awosika, emphasized the proactive nature of women’s leadership in her address. “Living the dream is about challenging yourself,” she stated, adding that the conference was designed to stoke the fire of women, “to get you to know that we can’t change the world sitting back, because there isn’t the next person to do it. We’re going to have to make the world better for all of us.” Awosika further underscored the collective power of women, stating, “As women, we are 50% of the world. What we permit is what we have. What we do is what will cause the change. Every woman has power, but her power is useless by itself. Our power becomes super when we connect it, and we can use that superpower to support every woman to live our dreams.'”
