Directors’ Institute Targets Greater Female Influence In Corporate Decision-making

The Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen women’s role in corporate leadership and strategic governance as it prepares to host the 2026 Women Directors’ Biennial Conference in Lagos.

Scheduled for July 1, 2026, the conference, organised by the Institute’s Women’s Group, will bring together leading figures from business, governance and public service to explore pathways for enhancing women’s influence in corporate decision-making and leadership.

Themed, ‘From Presence to Power: Advancing Women’s Influence in the Boardroom’, the conference will examine how women can move beyond representation to wield greater authority in shaping corporate strategy, institutional direction and economic outcomes across sectors.

President and chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD Nigeria, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, will chair the conference and serve as chief host, while chairperson of the Institute’s Women’s Sectoral Group, Ronke Sokefun, will host the event.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Sokefun said that although women have made significant progress in leadership positions, the challenge now is ensuring that such representation translates into meaningful influence.

“Women have made significant strides in leadership, but the next challenge is translating representation into influence. This conference is designed to equip and connect women leaders with the ideas, networks and strategies required to shape decisions, drive growth and contribute meaningfully to the future of our institutions and economy.

“We are bringing together voices that have not only broken barriers but continue to redefine what effective leadership looks like,” she said.

Former governor of Lagos State and former minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika will attend as special guest of honour.

The programme will also feature prominent speakers from the business and public sectors, including Dr Karl Toriola, Funke Amobi, Prof. Olayinka David-West, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Mrs Bola Tinubu, Dr Alex Irune and Sola Adesakin, among other senior executives and thought leaders.

According to the Institute, participants will gain practical insights through keynote presentations, executive roundtables and panel discussions focused on navigating pathways to boardroom leadership, strengthening governance frameworks and enhancing institutional resilience.

Discussions will also address the relationship among leadership, wealth creation, and decision-making, while providing opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among directors, executives, and emerging leaders.

The conference is sponsored by MTN Nigeria and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with organisations such as Oando, Argentil Capital, NSITF, Templars, First E&P, NDIC, TNP, Comercio Partners, Pinheiro LP, Woodhall Capital and Griffin Capital Group participating as partners.

About 400 directors, C-suite executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs and professionals are expected to attend the event, creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration across sectors.

Through the Women Directors’ Biennial Conference, CIoD Nigeria said it remains committed to promoting sound corporate governance and developing leaders capable of driving sustainable growth and transformation in Nigeria and beyond.