Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has called on Nigerian women to approach leadership, influence, and economic participation with deliberate strategy and long-term thinking.
Speaking during a fireside conversation at the #VioletsForHer International Women’s Day event, hosted by i-Invest in Lagos, where leaders from finance, media, law, and entrepreneurship gathered to discuss pathways for women to strengthen their economic power.
Reflecting on her personal leadership journey and the realities of navigating positions of influence, Oduwole emphasised that power requires clarity, discipline and strategic thinking.
“If you are not agenda-setting, you are on the menu,” she said, highlighting the importance of shaping conversations rather than reacting to them.
She noted that women must approach their careers with a strong sense of purpose and long-term vision.
“Power is a long-term game. It requires intentionality, calculation and strategy.
Being underestimated can sometimes be a gift because it allows you to exceed expectations,” she said.
Speaking on decision-making and career growth, the minister stressed that lasting influence is built through consistent, everyday choices. “Small decisions lead to the big ones. Decision-making is daily work,” she said, encouraging young professionals to focus on building skills and developing a strong foundation for leadership.
Earlier in her keynote address, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, who spoke on the importance of self-empowerment and preparation in achieving professional and financial success, said that women should take deliberate ownership of their growth and consistently invest in knowledge and capability.
“Power is not a position; it is a practice. It is the discipline of preparing when nobody is watching and the courage to step forward even before you feel ready,” she said.
She also encouraged women to seize opportunities, even when they appear difficult.
“Opportunities often come dressed as challenges. When they appear, you must be ready to take them and multiply them”, she said.
The 2026 International Women’s Day main campaign theme is ‘Give To Gain’, highlighting the role of generosity and collaboration in driving gender equality.
The i-Invest event, held under the theme ‘Build, Leverage, Multiply’, is a framework designed to encourage women to intentionally develop their capabilities, maximise opportunities and scale their impact.
GIK/APA