Women must move from representation to influence in governance — Fashola

Former Lagos State Governor and Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, called on women to move beyond simply being represented in leadership roles and to actively wield influence in governance and decision-making. Speaking at the 2026 Women Directors’ Biennial Conference in Lagos, themed "From Presence to Power: Advancing Women’s Influence in the Boardroom," Fashola noted that while diversity in boardrooms has improved, the focus must now shift to enhancing women's capacity to impact governance and organizational results.

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beyond representation in leadership to exercising meaningful influence in governance and decision-making.

Fashola asserted that competence, not gender, determines effective leadership. He advised women serving on boards to prepare diligently for meetings, pose critical questions, pursue continuous knowledge enhancement, and thoroughly understand the organizations they serve. "If you are given authority and cannot use it, you cannot attribute that to gender. Ineffectiveness is a human issue, not a gender issue," he stated, also urging women leaders to prioritize their teams' welfare and develop strong communication skills.

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effective leadership is determined by competence rather than gender.

Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, Chairperson of Access Bank Plc, echoed these sentiments, describing inclusive leadership as both a moral obligation and a governance imperative. She emphasized that the objective is no longer just to secure seats for women but to ensure their participation leads to tangible impact. "Presence and power must lead to impact. Women have the capacity to transform workplaces, governance institutions and homes when they actively shape decisions," Awosika said.

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If you are given authority and cannot use it, you cannot attribute that to gender. Ineffectiveness is a human issue, not a gender issue.

Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, President of CIoD Nigeria, explained that the conversation has evolved from representation to authority, where power means influencing strategy, chairing committees, and participating in CEO selection. He noted that the conference aimed to bridge the gap between representation and leadership as boardrooms grapple with challenges like artificial intelligence and geopolitical tensions. Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, Vice-President of CIoD Nigeria, pointed out that despite increased female representation on corporate boards, women remain underrepresented as chairpersons, executive leaders, and key decision-makers.

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inclusive leadership as both a moral obligation and a governance imperative.