Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), as part of the Women in Leadership (WiL) Coalition, paid a strategic advocacy visit to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Ph.D, OON, to discuss policy reforms that will expand opportunities for women in leadership and across the workforce.
The engagement focused on advancing one of the Coalition’s key advocacy priorities: the adoption of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave for civil servants, listed companies, and large businesses. Discussions also covered broader gender-inclusive labour policies, including workplace protections, equal pay, maternity protection, and the elimination of discrimination, violence, and harassment in the workplace.
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting policy reforms that strengthen women’s participation in leadership, promote equitable workplaces, and contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), as part of the Women in Leadership (WiL) Coalition, paid a strategic advocacy visit to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to advance policy reforms that strengthen women’s leadership and participation across the public and private sectors.
The Coalition presented three key advocacy priorities: modern labour and care economy reforms, including a national minimum of 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave for civil servants and major private sector organisations; securing a minimum of 35% female representation across the executive management teams and corporate boards of listed companies; and advancing at least 35% female representation in federal and state government cabinets to strengthen inclusive governance.
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to championing reforms that promote women’s leadership, strengthen families, and translate policy priorities into measurable national outcomes. The engagement reflects the Coalition’s continued commitment to driving structural reforms that create more inclusive workplaces, corporate institutions, and governance systems across Nigeria.
Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), as part of the Women in Leadership (WiL) Coalition, participated in the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) Ring the Bell for Gender Equality Ceremony held to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026.
Representing WISCAR at the event were Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson, and Ms. Ekemini Akpakpan, Executive Secretary, who joined leaders from across the public and private sectors in reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing gender equality in corporate leadership.
The ceremony served as a platform to reinforce one of the Women in Leadership (WiL) Coalition’s key advocacy priorities: securing a minimum of 35% female representation on the boards and executive management teams of listed companies. The Coalition continues to champion this target as a critical step towards strengthening corporate governance, improving business performance, and fostering more inclusive leadership across Nigeria’s private sector.
The event was hosted by the Nigerian Exchange Group and featured Mr. Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, alongside other distinguished stakeholders committed to accelerating progress towards gender-balanced leadership. WISCAR remains committed to working with public and private sector partners to drive meaningful, measurable change that expands opportunities for women to lead at the highest levels.
WISCAR participated in a parental leave advocacy rally at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with Gatefield and alongside the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), representing the Women in Leadership (WiL) Coalition.
Representing WISCAR at the rally was Ms. Ekemini Akpakpan, Executive Secretary, who joined other stakeholders in advocating for the adoption of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave as part of ongoing labour reform efforts in Nigeria.
The event brought together government, civil society, and development partners to advance inclusive labour policies that strengthen families, promote gender equality, and improve workforce productivity. Through media engagements with leading national outlets and interviews facilitated by Gatefield, WISCAR amplified the importance of progressive parental leave policies in supporting women’s economic participation, family wellbeing, and sustainable national development.
At WISCAR our Advocacy work is centered around accelerating women’s inclusion and participation in corporate leadership, governance and politics. We believe that issues around gender parity and upgrading the status and access of women from board room to grass roots can only be realized where there are more women in positions to navigate, negotiate and demand change.
We believe that with the empowerment of increasing numbers of professional women, they in turn will empower others and unlock the potential of women; enrich the talent workforce, contribute to growth and development and help build a better nation.
On 7th March 2022, we re-affirmed our commitment to continue to build capacity for the next generation of women for leadership in the private and public sectors and to advocate for private sector leaders to join in solidarity to #breakthebias and give strength and voice to ‘The Constitution Women Want’
35PercentandBeyond is a national campaign that aims to achieve increased women’s representation in politics through advocacy by harnessing power, voice and action of the citizens for desired change. One of the arching calls of the campaign was the pledge to contribute funds and resources to support young women in politics. By January 2023, WISCAR walked the talk by organizing a special fundraiser in collaboration with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The sum of N7.313m was raised and distributed to 5 credible female candidates that ran in the 2023 elections.
#sayyestoweps is an active campaign towards accelerating sign-up to the UNWomen/UNGC Women Empowerment principles. Over 100 companies have committed to promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community by saying #yestotheweps.
