The Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) announced on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, that its highly anticipated 23rd Annual Conference will feature a keynote address by former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The conference will be chaired by Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG.

Themed “Dream. Dare. Do.”, the hybrid event will offer both virtual and physical attendance options, attracting women from diverse sectors across the globe, including participants from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ghana, Cameroon, the UAE, and more. It aims to foster transformative dialogue and learning among women worldwide.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, the Executive Director of WIMBIZ, highlighted the importance of the conference, noting that it remains the organisation’s flagship event. She emphasised WIMBIZ’s ongoing dedication to empowering women in leadership roles, revealing that the conference has inspired over 330,000 women since its inception.

Opeyemi Oduwole, Chair of the Conference Planning Group (CPG), elaborated on this year’s theme, explaining, “Dream. Dare. Do.” reflects the urgency for women to step into their power, especially in challenging economic times. She cited successful companies like Disney and FedEx, which thrived after economic downturns, as examples of how adversity can ignite opportunities.

The 23rd edition of the conference will feature a packed agenda, including five plenary sessions, three hands-on workshops, and a business pitch competition, providing diverse opportunities for participants to engage and learn.

Mabel Adeteye, Chair of the WIMBIZ CPG Communications and Publicity Committee, shared key details about the registration process, encouraging interested participants to visit the WIMBIZ website. She also noted that attendees could access the conference via the WIMBIZ app, which allows for engagement with sessions, networking, and interactive discussions.

In addition, Akingbohungbe reiterated WIMBIZ’s strong advocacy for gender equality in leadership. “We are constantly advocating for equal representation of both genders in leadership positions across all sectors. We have seen quite some improvement in the financial sector with 30% female CEOs in the Banking Industry.” She urged women to attend the conference, emphasising that the connections made could play a pivotal role in shaping their future.

As the event draws near, excitement continues to build for what promises to be a landmark gathering focused on empowering women leaders across Africa and beyond.