Women Urged To Build Next Generation Of Leaders

Women entrepreneurs, innovators and young professionals have been urged to tell their stories more intentionally to inspire change, influence policy and create opportunities for others.

This call resonated during a recent Purple School engagement, where the participants shared personal journeys of resilience, entrepreneurship and innovation, demonstrating how ordinary challenges can be transformed into solutions with lasting social impact.

Speaking during the session, participants highlighted the importance of recognising and amplifying stories that often go unnoticed despite their significant contributions to communities and economic development.

The founder of Purple School, Mrs Olive Obioma, was commended for creating a platform that brings together diverse voices across communication, advocacy, entrepreneurship and leadership development.

One of the speakers, Foluso Shado of the Justice Research Institute Nigeria, described the session as a rich blend of experiences that showcased how individuals are turning limited resources into opportunities and survival into thriving enterprises.

According to him, the presentations revealed that innovation is not always driven by large corporations or sophisticated technology but often emerges from people seeking practical solutions to everyday problems.

He cited the example of a fashion entrepreneur who designed clothing to address the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers returning to work, while also helping brides build confidence through thoughtfully designed outfits.

“It goes beyond needle and thread. It is about solving real-life problems and improving people’s quality of life,” he said.

Shado also praised the experienced professionals and mentors who participated in the programme for providing practical guidance and connecting emerging entrepreneurs with platforms that can help scale their ideas and businesses.

He warned that many inspiring stories risk being overshadowed by the fast-paced nature of social media, where algorithms often determine which narratives gain visibility.

“Social media constantly pushes certain narratives and shapes public attention. If we do not deliberately amplify stories of resilience, innovation, entrepreneurship and community transformation, they may be drowned out,” he” noted.

Participants also reflected on the importance of changing perceptions of social and economic backgrounds, stressing that circumstances do not define talent, creativity, or leadership potential.

The presentation by young filmmaker and global advocate Zuriel Oduwole was cited as an example of how age and background should never be viewed as limitations to achievement.

Contributors observed that some of AfriAfrica’s most impactful innovations emerge from individuals seeking solutions to challenges in their immediate environment before eventually attracting global attention.

“It’s wonderful to see Africans solving African problems and then going on to become world changers,” one participant remarked.

The event further reinforced the role of mentorship, networking, and visibility in helping women and young professionals unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Purple School, an initiative of Image Dot Africa, is a transformational leadership and executive development platform dedicated to equipping women and young female professionals with the confidence, competence, communication skills, etiquette, and leadership capacity required to thrive in today’s competitive world.

Through practical learning experiences, mentorship opportunities and leadership development programmes, the platform seeks to bridge the gap between potential and executive excellence while creating pathways for women to achieve greater impact in their careers, businesses and communities.

Participants expressed optimism that conversations initiated through Purple School would inspire stronger collaborations, expand opportunities for emerging leaders and contribute to building a more inclusive and innovative society.