TEXEM’s International Women’s Day: Reflection On Leadership, Evidence And Enduring Impact

By Alim Abubakre

Across boardrooms, parliaments, financial institutions and civic organisations, a profound shift is taking place. Women are no longer simply participants in leadership conversations. They are architects of strategy, guardians of governance and catalysts of institutional transformation.

Recent scholarship published in Harvard Business Review over the past three years reinforces what many organisations are now witnessing in practice. Leadership teams that include women ask sharper questions, challenge assumptions more rigorously and deepen the quality of strategic deliberation. Inclusive leadership cultures led by women frequently produce stronger innovation outcomes, higher employee commitment and more resilient organisations. When institutions redesign talent systems so that performance is evaluated fairly and opportunities are distributed transparently, women progress faster and organisations become more competitive.

This growing body of research reveals a powerful truth. Investing in women’s leadership strengthens governance, improves strategic decision making, expands innovation capacity and enhances organisational legitimacy. Companies benefit through stronger performance and market insight. Governments benefit through better policy design and citizen trust. Civil society organisations benefit through more inclusive problem solving and social impact.

These insights frame a remarkable story of leadership impact through the global executive development community of TEXEM alumnae.

For more than sixteen years, TEXEM has equipped senior executives with the strategic foresight, governance fluency and leadership courage required to navigate increasingly complex environments. Its alumni community now spans leaders who shape policy, steer corporations, transform institutions and influence public discourse.

International Women’s Day therefore provides an opportunity not only to celebrate individual achievements but also to highlight the strategic contribution of women leaders who have engaged with TEXEM’s programmes and are translating knowledge into national and organisational impact.

As TEXEM Founder Dr Alim Abubakre reflects, “When women are equipped with strategic insight, ethical grounding and the confidence to lead boldly, the effect goes far beyond representation. Institutions become wiser, societies become stronger and progress accelerates for everyone.”

The following distinguished TEXEM alumnae exemplify this leadership dividend.

Ann Iyonu serves as Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation where she advances democratic consolidation, peacebuilding and leadership dialogue across West Africa. Through policy engagement and high level convenings she contributes to strengthening governance and civic cooperation across the region.

Chinwe Iloghalu is Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nova Bank. Her leadership reflects a commitment to responsible banking, customer trust and strategic growth within Nigeria’s evolving financial services sector.

Tonye Ukpong leads Total Health Trust Limited, a Tangerine Group company that plays a critical role in Nigeria’s health insurance ecosystem. Her work strengthens healthcare access and operational excellence across the health management industry.

Bolanle Hajara is a Director at the Federal Inland Revenue Service where she contributes to national revenue administration and fiscal governance. Her work supports economic stability through effective tax policy implementation and institutional integrity.

Busola Abidakun serves as Permanent Secretary within the Lagos State Government where she plays a vital role in policy coordination and public sector performance. Her leadership strengthens administrative systems within one of Africa’s most dynamic urban economies.

Sunkanmi Oyegbola is Permanent Secretary at the Public Service Office of Lagos State. Her work focuses on strengthening civil service capability, workforce effectiveness and institutional reform.

Senator Idiat Adebule represents Lagos West Senatorial District in Nigeria’s National Assembly. A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and respected educationist, she contributes to national legislation, policy oversight and social development advocacy.

Nkem Oni Egboma previously served as Chief Financial Officer of telecommunications giant 9mobile and now contributes strategic expertise within Seplat Energy’s tax leadership. Her career reflects deep expertise across telecommunications, energy finance and fiscal governance.

Chidinma Ezechukwu leads Strategy and Business Transformation at Rex Insurance. She drives organisational change initiatives that align operational performance with long term strategic growth.

– Abubakre is the Founder of TEXEM