BPW Nigeria Commits to Institutional Reform, Digital Innovation and Women’s Economic Inclusion

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‎The Business and Professional Women (BPW) Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment with the adoption of a comprehensive five-year strategic framework designed to strengthen the Federation’s governance, institutional capacity and national impact.
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‎The strategic direction emerged from the Federation’s Five-Day Virtual Strategic Planning Retreat, held from 6th to 10th July 2026 under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL) Project, supported by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada.
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‎Held under the theme, “Building a Stronger Sisterhood, Sustainable Systems & a Lasting Legacy,” with the tagline “One Vision, One Voice, One Federation,” the retreat brought together the National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, club leaders, members and development partners to critically assess the Federation’s progress and chart a sustainable path for the future.
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‎The retreat featured a goodwill address by Diana Barragán, International President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International), while the National President of BPW Nigeria, Ojobo Atuluku, provided strategic leadership throughout the sessions. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Keziah Awosika, presided over the retreat, which was facilitated by Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD).
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‎Participants reviewed BPW Nigeria’s mission, vision and core values to ensure they reflect emerging realities, including digital transformation, climate-responsive entrepreneurship, innovation, peacebuilding and inclusive development.
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‎The retreat also examined the Federation’s operating environment through comprehensive PEST and SWOT analyses. Participants identified key priorities for strengthening governance, improving organizational effectiveness, enhancing communication and media visibility, expanding membership, embracing digital technologies, diversifying funding sources and improving financial sustainability.
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‎A significant outcome of the retreat was the resolution to preserve BPW Nigeria’s institutional memory through the documentation of its history, leadership, milestones and achievements. Participants noted that despite the Federation’s remarkable contributions since its establishment in 1961 by Mrs. Elizabeth Manuwa, much of its rich history remains undocumented and requires deliberate preservation.
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‎The retreat resolved to modernize BPW Nigeria’s organizational systems by reviewing its governance structure, strengthening leadership development and succession planning, institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation, improving knowledge management, expanding mentorship programmes and building stronger partnerships with government institutions, the private sector, development partners, academia and civil society organizations.
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‎BPW Nigeria further pledged to intensify advocacy for gender equality, women’s rights, economic inclusion and professional advancement while leveraging digital platforms to expand its reach and amplify the voices of business and professional women across Nigeria.
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‎The Federation expressed profound appreciation to ActionAid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada for their unwavering support through the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL) Project. It also commended the Board of Trustees, facilitators, resource persons and members for their dedication and valuable contributions to the success of the retreat.
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‎As the retreat concluded, participants renewed their collective resolve to build a stronger, more innovative and sustainable Federation anchored on the shared vision of “One Vision, One Voice, One Federation.” They pledged to translate the resolutions of the retreat into practical actions that will position BPW Nigeria as a leading voice for business and professional women and a catalyst for inclusive national development.
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