UBA hosts ‘Gen.W’ forum to spotlight women leaders

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Thursday hosted another edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together prominent female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”

The hybrid event, held at UBA House in Marina, Lagos, and streamed live to audiences around the world, formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month. Discussions focused on the evolving role of women in leadership, business and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while creating lasting impact in their fields.

In her opening remarks, UBA’s Group Head of Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, described the evolved woman as someone who takes initiative, volunteers and ensures her voice is heard.

The session was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who said the concept of the evolved woman is not defined by a checklist but by confidence and self-worth.

“When I think about the evolved woman, I do not see a checklist or a finish point. It is a woman who is grounded in her self-worth and allows other women to be grounded in theirs,” he said.

The panel featured leading female professionals including founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; media personality and digital entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies; and renowned broadcaster Ayo Mairo-Ese. They shared personal experiences on their journeys as entrepreneurs and the challenges they overcame while building successful brands.

Awosika noted that an evolved woman is someone who understands her identity and creates opportunities rather than waiting for them.

“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table. She is creating her own table and adding value,” she said, adding that personal growth must accompany business growth.

Adeoye emphasised that women are now redefining leadership by speaking openly about their struggles and refusing to abandon their dreams.

According to her, the evolved woman is no longer asking what she brings to the table but creating her own opportunities.

Mairo-Ese, however, urged women to be more confident in showcasing their achievements, noting that many women perform remarkable work but hesitate to share their stories.

Davies also shared her entrepreneurial journey, explaining that she explored several ventures before discovering her niche in fashion design.

“Start where you are. It is a progression,” she advised, stressing the importance of research, focus and relatability in building a successful brand.

Also speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, encouraged women to support and uplift one another.

She also highlighted the Gen W platform introduced by the bank, describing it as a lifestyle initiative designed to support women building businesses, careers and brands across industries.

According to Ladipo, the platform provides expert insights, real-life stories and practical resources, as well as access to discounted products and loans. She noted that the initiative is open to all women, regardless of whether they hold a UBA account.

UBA said the Business Series remains part of its broader commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs by creating platforms for mentorship, knowledge sharing and thought leadership.

The bank added that by bringing together influential voices and sharing real experiences, it hopes to inspire a new generation of women leaders and innovators across Africa and beyond.