Akume, Alakija, Fayemi to headline 10th VOW conference

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; businesswoman and philanthropist, Apostle Folorunso Alakija; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, among other speakers and participants, will grace the 10th Voice of Women Conference and Awards.

Also, five women contesting the 2027 elections, including Adijat Adeleye, Ogun State House of Representatives candidate; Rukayat Shittu, Kwara State House of Assembly candidate; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Abia State House of Representatives candidate; and Jennifer Agbaji, Kaduna North Senatorial candidate, will participate in a national conversation on women’s political participation and representation in decision-making.

The conference, organised by the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation in partnership with Women Radio WFM 91.7, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, The PUNCH learnt in a statement obtained on Thursday.

The event, which marks the 10th anniversary of the Voice of Women platform, will also feature

According to the organisers, the conference will provide a platform for discussions on women’s leadership, political participation and representation as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

The political session will form part of a broader intergenerational conversation, titled “The Power of Women: Across Generations — Shaping What Comes Next,” which is expected to bring together established women leaders, young women, students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, grassroots participants and civil society groups.

The organisers said participants from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones were expected at the conference, while the event would also be broadcast on television, radio and digital platforms to widen participation.

The 2027 election focus comes as the conference enters its second decade, with the organisers saying the platform would move beyond celebrating its past activities to examining what comes next for Nigerian women and girls.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Convener of the Voice of Women Conference and Executive Director of the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, said the anniversary offered an opportunity to consider the platform’s future impact.

“VOW2026 is a celebration of 10 years of voices, stories, courage and impact. For a decade, the Voice of Women platform has provided a space where women can speak, be heard and contribute meaningfully to conversations that shape our society,” she said.

“As we mark this milestone, we are not only looking back at the journey; we are looking ahead to the next decade and the kind of impact we want to create.”

The conference will also include the VOW2026 Awards, which will recognise individuals, organisations, companies and government institutions for contributions to women, families and society.

Award categories include Lifetime Achievement, Family-Focused Organisation, Gender-Balanced Empowerment Company, Social Media Innovation, Woman of the Year, Government Agency Supporting Women and Families, and Civil Society Organisation Supporting Women and Families.

The organisers also announced an economic empowerment component, with Asha Microfinance Bank expected to provide grants to 10 women.

The Programmes Manager of the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, Aisha Sanni, said the 10th edition was designed to broaden participation beyond established women leaders.

“A decade is an important milestone, but for us, it is also a responsibility. We want the next decade to reach further — to women whose voices are often missing from national conversations, and to young women and students who will become tomorrow’s leaders, decision-makers and changemakers,” Sanni said.

The organisers said the conference had, over the past decade, developed into a platform for advocacy, empowerment, leadership, dialogue and recognition, while the 2026 edition would seek to extend its reach from grassroots women to national leadership.

The event is supported by FirstBank, Asha Microfinance, Lotus Bank, Ekiti State Government, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Nigeria Bottling Company, LASENA, Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Checkers Custard, Amandla Institute, Betacare, Dejabys Empowerment Initiative, WRAPA and ActionAid.