Women’s leadership strengthening governance in Nigeria — Fashola

Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that more than 37 women currently head federal government parastatals and agencies, reflecting the increasing presence of women in leadership positions. Fashola stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Women Directors’ Biennial Conference of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD) in Lagos. […]

Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that more than 37 women currently head federal government parastatals and agencies, reflecting the increasing presence of women in leadership positions.

Fashola stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Women Directors’ Biennial Conference of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD) in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme, “From Presence to Power: Advancing Women’s Influence in the Boardroom,” he said the appointments of the women were based on the responsibilities attached to the offices rather than gender considerations.

“I must, therefore, strongly disagree with the assumption that these appointments as they relate to women represent just presence rather than power.

“That would be too much responsibility to sacrifice for mere presence and it would be a dis-service to the women involved for me, or all of us, to accept that they are there just to make up the numbers.

“Indeed, it invites us to question the idea that such presence without power, where it exists, is simply a gender thing as against being a human thing.

“The correct assumption must be that once you get appointed you are expected to get things done, rather than watch things happen,” he said.

Fashola urged women in corporate leadership to make themselves visible, demonstrate their value and make meaningful contributions in their various organisations.

Also speaking, Chairman of the CIoD Women’s Group, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, said women are focused on delivering results rather than merely seeking inclusion.

“The true measure of leadership is not whether we sit at the table, but whether our contributions strengthen governance, shape strategy and leave institutions better than we found them,” she said.

She described boardrooms as places where critical decisions are made, risks are assessed, opportunities are identified and the future of institutions is shaped.

“Diversity in leadership is no longer a social aspiration; it is a strategic imperative. Across the world, organisations increasingly recognise that leadership diversity strengthens governance, improves risk oversight, broadens strategic thinking and builds lasting stakeholder confidence.

“Women bring perspective, resilience, emotional intelligence and measurable value. These are not simply desirable qualities; they are strategic assets for every modern boardroom. Influence in the boardroom is never donated. It is earned through preparation, sound judgement, strategic thinking, consistency and the confidence to contribute when it matters most,” she said.

The President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, called for a deliberate shift from merely increasing women’s representation in corporate boardrooms to ensuring they wield real influence in decision-making and governance.

He noted that modern boardrooms face increasingly complex challenges ranging from artificial intelligence and geopolitical tensions to supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, arguing that stronger female participation in governance is essential for building resilient organisations.

According to him, advancing women in leadership is no longer a diversity agenda but a business imperative that enhances corporate performance and strengthens governance standards across industries.

Oyebanji also advocated reforms in board recruitment, urging organisations to abandon traditional requirements such as prior CEO experience, which he said have historically disadvantaged many qualified women. Instead, he called for competency-based board appointments that prioritise expertise in areas such as digital transformation, risk management and global logistics.

He encouraged women directors to reject tokenism and embrace their roles as influential leaders capable of shaping corporate decisions, insisting that boards have a responsibility to appoint the best talent irrespective of gender.