Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Thursday hosted another edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female leaders and entrepreneurs to explore the theme, “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”
The hybrid event, held at UBA House in Marina, Lagos, and streamed live to audiences around the world, formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month. Discussions focused on the changing role of women in leadership, business, and innovation, with emphasis on how African women are redefining success while creating lasting impact in their respective fields.
In her opening remarks, UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, described the “evolved woman” as one who takes initiative, speaks up, and actively contributes to shaping society.
According to her, the modern woman is increasingly taking charge of her destiny, volunteering ideas, and ensuring her voice is heard.
The session was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who described the evolved woman as someone grounded in self-worth and confident enough to empower others.
“When I think about the evolved woman, I don’t see a checklist or a finish line. I see a woman who is grounded in her self-worth and gives room for other women to be grounded in theirs – choosing herself daily and helping others believe they belong as well,” he said.
The event featured panel discussions with prominent women, including the founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; media personality and digital entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies; and award-winning broadcaster Ayo Mairo-Ese. The speakers shared personal experiences about their journeys, challenges, and growth as women in business and leadership.
Awosika, an energy economist and entrepreneur, noted that an evolved woman is one who understands her identity and value.
“That woman does not need to ask for a seat at the table; she creates her own table and adds value. As your company grows, you must grow as well and continuously assess how you can become a better leader,” she said.
Adeoye also emphasized that modern women are no longer waiting to be invited into spaces.
“The question of what a woman brings to the table has become obsolete because the evolved woman is bringing her own table. She is more vocal about her struggles, sets her standards, and refuses to give up on her dreams,” she said.
Mairo-Ese, however, encouraged women to be more confident about sharing their achievements.
“Many women are doing phenomenal work but are hesitant to showcase it. As an evolved woman, you must discover what works for you, create your unique value, and be open to collaboration,” she advised.
For Davies, the founder of the fashion brand Fine-Funky, persistence and continuous learning have been key to her journey.
“I ventured into several businesses before discovering my niche. Creating unique and affordable designs remains my driving force. My advice is to start where you are, do your research, and build gradually,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, applauded the panelists and participants, stressing the importance of women supporting one another.
“Lifting other women up is not difficult because everyone has their own community and story. As women, we must position ourselves in ways that enable us to give back and empower others,” she said.
Ladipo also highlighted the bank’s Gen W initiative, a lifestyle platform designed to support and connect women across industries.
“Through expert insights, real stories, and practical resources, the platform connects women building brands, launching businesses, growing careers, and leading across industries. They also gain access to discounted products and loans. The best part is that it is open to every woman, even without a UBA account,” she explained.
UBA reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Business Series, which serves as a platform for mentorship, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership.
By bringing together influential voices and practical experiences, the bank said it hopes to inspire a new generation of female leaders and innovators across Africa and beyond.