The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Thursday hosted its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme, “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”
The hybrid session which was held at the UBA House in Marina, Lagos and also transmitted live to participants across the globe, was part of activities to mark the International Women’s Month.
The event also focused on the evolving role of women in leadership, business, and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while also creating sustainable impact across their various spheres of operation.
UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, explained while making her opening remarks, that the evolved woman was one who took charge, volunteered and made her voice heard above the noise.
Popular Media Personality and Actor, Tobi Bakre, who moderated the event, said, “When I think about the evolved woman, I personally do not see a checklist or a finish point.
“In my own opinion, it is a woman who is grounded in her own self-worth and gives room for other women to be grounded in theirs.
“She chooses herself daily and ultimately lets other women around her know and believe that they belong here too.”
The event featured panel conversations with leading Entrepreneur and Founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; celebrated Media Personality and Digital Entrepreneur, Tomike Adeoye; Founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies, and award-winning Broadcaster, Ayo Mario-Ese.
The panelists shared experiences around their struggles and eventual evolution as female business owners.
Joycee Awosika, an Energy Economist who has been focused on promoting the African heritage, said the evolved woman was one who was aware of who she was.
“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table, she is creating her own table and adding value. As your company is growing, you must grow too, and always do an audit of what you need to become a better leader,” Awosika said.
According to Tomike Adeoye, the question of what a woman is bringing to the table has now become obsolete, as the evolved woman is now bringing their own table.
“She is now more vocal about her struggles, setting the standards and she is not ready to give up on her dreams,” she added.
Ayo Mario-Ese expressed worry about females who are usually laidback about speaking up and sharing their achievements and said that women needed to own their own stories.
According to her, a lot of women are doing phenomenal work and are sometimes afraid of showcasing what they are doing.
“As an evolved woman, you have to find out what you are comfortable doing, and create your own unique offering, and also be open to collaboration,” she said.
On her part, Olufunke Davies, said creating unique designs that are affordable was her driving force and something that had helped her grow as an evolved woman.
She confessed to have ventured into a lot of businesses before finding her niche.
“It is important to do your research, streamline and think about relatability. But the important thing I will say is start where you are as it is a progression,” Davies said.
The UBA Group Head, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, commended the panelists and the attendees for taking their time to join the event.
She said it was not hard to have every woman succeeding in her space because everyone had their community as well as their story, hence the need for women to take up challenges towards creating opportunity for others.
Ladipo took time to speak about the Gen W platform, put together by the bank, as she explained that it was a lifestyle platform dedicated to the evolved woman.
“Through expert insights, real stories, and practical resources, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, growing careers, and leading across industries.
“They also have access to a plethora of discounted products and loans. The best part: it is open to every woman. No UBA account needed. This is Gen W, for the evolved woman,” she said.
Ladipo added that UBA continued to reaffirm its commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs through platforms such as the Business Series.
She noted that the Series continued to serve as a hub for mentorship, knowledge exchange, and thought leadership.
According to Ladipo, by convening influential voices and sharing practical experiences, the bank aims to inspire a new generation of women leaders and innovators across Africa and beyond.
