Women Leaders Advocate Meritocracy, Equity, Visibility In Leadership Positions

Top female executives from various industries have challenged traditional workplace norms, even as they championed meritocracy, gender equity, and visibility in leadership positions.

Industry leaders including the managing director of Cadbury Nigeria PLC, Oyeyimika Adeboye; asset manager at Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Areje Adegoke, and head of relationship and stakeholders management at NNPC Ltd, Oluwakemi Oyekan-Olumuyiwa, called on the need for systemic change and proactive career strategies for women.

The spoke at the 5th edition of Ascent’s Top 100 Career Women in Africa, a prestigious annual list in honour of Women’s History Month to celebrate the achievements and influence of Africa’s leading women professionals.

Adeboye, reflecting on her journey, stressed that talent should always take precedence over gender in the workplace. “I grew up in a family where performance mattered. It wasn’t until I entered the corporate world that I realized gender could be a barrier,” she noted. She recalled a pivotal moment in her career when a senior female colleague in the UK revealed that she had been overlooked for a promotion solely because of her gender. This experience prompted Adeboye to return to Nigeria, where she later ascended to the helm of Cadbury Nigeria.

Despite women making up 60 per cent of the global population, Adeboye pointed out that only 10 per cent of major companies have female CEOs. “The numbers don’t add up. At Cadbury Nigeria, we don’t hire based on quotas but on capability, and our leadership reflects that,” she said. She encouraged women to pursue leadership roles assertively rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them.

Adegoke echoed Adeboye’s sentiments, emphasising the importance of strategy, visibility, and networking in career advancement. “Hard work alone isn’t enough. You need to be intentional about your growth, seek sponsorship, and ensure your contributions are recognized,” she said. Adegoke highlighted a McKinsey study showing that men are 33 per cent more likely to have sponsors advocating for them, underscoring the importance of mentorship and workplace allies for women.

Adegoke also addressed a common challenge women face—the hesitation to speak up. “I used to overanalyse my thoughts before contributing in meetings. Meanwhile, men would confidently repeat points and dominate conversations. I had to learn to assert myself,” she shared. She encouraged women to apply for leadership positions even when they meet only 60 percent of the qualifications, rather than waiting for perfection.

Speaking on strategic influence, Oyekan-Olumuyiwa reinforced the necessity of trust, visibility, and presence in leadership. “Trust is the most powerful currency any leader can possess,” she stated. She urged women to actively seek leadership roles and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making spaces. Recalling an experience from 25 years ago when she influenced a key presidential committee decision, she emphasized the power of speaking up.

“Leadership isn’t just about hierarchy. It’s about the ability to connect people to purpose and drive meaningful change,” she continued.

She stressed that women must lift each other up by recommending colleagues for opportunities and sponsoring their names in rooms where they are not present. “I have made it a point to do this intentionally, and I urge you all to do the same,” she said.

The event also featured a keynote speech by the founder of the Ascent Club, Dr. Glory Edozien, who called for career fulfillment and mentorship. Reflecting on her journey, Edozien recounted feeling unfulfilled despite professional success, which led her to create “The Inspire Series” and “Inspired by Glory”, platforms dedicated to spotlighting women’s achievements. “If she can do it, then I too can do it,” she said, highlighting the importance of role models in inspiring the next generation.

Edozien stressed that events like these should not be seen as routine gatherings but as catalysts for meaningful change. “This is not just another event—it’s a movement,” she said. She urged attendees to actively engage with the discussions and turn their inspiration into action.

The panel of judges overseeing the honorees at the event included prominent figures such as founder of Women in Management Africa (WIMA) Dr. Naike Moshi; Regional head of people & culture at Stanbic IBTC Holdings Funke Amobi and CEO of Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, Osayi Alile. Their selections reinforced the event’s mission of recognizing and celebrating women’s achievements.

As the forum concluded, the overarching message from all speakers was clear: women must seize leadership opportunities, support each other, and demand recognition based on merit. With corporate spaces gradually evolving to embrace gender diversity, the call for influence, equity, and strategic leadership remains more critical than ever.