The second edition of The Guardian Woman Festival will take place this Friday at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. This flagship event, hosted by The Guardian Nigeria, will bring together a diverse group of individuals to celebrate the achievements of women who are transforming industries and creating lasting change.
Under the theme “Women Mean Business,” this year’s festival will highlight the essential roles women play in reshaping economies and societies through leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Anita Athena Ibru, Convener and Chief Strategy Officer (Global) of The Guardian, expressed her excitement for the event, emphasizing its importance as a movement that empowers women to take charge of their futures and drive progress. She stated, “The Guardian Woman Festival is more than just a celebration; it’s a movement that galvanizes women to take charge of their futures, break boundaries, and influence meaningful change across industries.”
The festival will feature a keynote address by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, who will highlight the vital contributions of women to national and global economies. Attendees can expect inspiring panel discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies for advancing both business and personal growth.
The festival will also kick off the public vote for the Seven Wonder Women Awards, in partnership with Investing In Women. These awards honor exceptional women in key sectors such as media and entertainment, finance, technology, wellness, academia, public service, and philanthropy.
Panel discussions will cover important topics including challenges in business financing, personal investing for women, driving change through philanthropy, empowering women to reach the C-suite, and more.
Some of the notable speakers include David Alao, CEO of Leadway Asset Management; Kehinde Ogundare, Country Manager at Zoho Corporation Nigeria; Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Blessing Oyeleye Adesiyan, Founder of Caring Africa; and Olatowun Candide-Johnson, Founder of GAIA Africa.
This year’s festival is proudly sponsored by Leadway, Zoho Corporation, Stanbic IBTC, and Caring Africa.