IWD: Emuwa, others advocate women collaboration at UBA Business Series

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, and panellists at the first Business Series of 2025 of the United Bank for Africa Plc on Thursday called on women to support themselves to break barriers and end pay inequality.

The event, which doubles as the commemoration of the 2025 International Women’s Day and took place at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in UBA House, Marina, Lagos, featured some notable speakers, including Board Chairman, Africa Prudential Plc, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi; Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Shule Direct of Tanzania, Faraja Kotta Nyalandu; Managing Director, BOI Investment and Trust Company Limited, Flora Fabyan; and Nollywood Actress, Nancy Isime.

The UBA Business Series serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, equipping individuals and businesses with the tools and strategies to achieve long-term success. The theme for Thursday’s event was, ‘Against All Odds: The Impact of Women.’

Emuwa, during the event, recounted how the network of women via GAIA Africa provided her with opportunities to better perform in her role as the chairman of PUNCH Nigeria Limited.

She said, “There is a general notion that when women get to the top, they push away the ladder, but for me, it is very essential (to keep the ladder) because we all know what women are capable of doing. Let’s look at the GAIA Africa example. I went there because I knew I would get some form of support when I became chairman, and they were very welcoming and offered help. In that way, I had direction and acquired knowledge. That experience empowered me. We just have to see how we can help each other.”

Echoing similar sentiments, the Managing Director of BOI Investment & Trust Company, Flora Fabyan, said the notion of women not supporting one another was a worrying trend that needs to stop.

She said, “I don’t know why it happens, but in my experience, women can do a lot more than we are currently doing. A lot of the things that women say, I hear them, and I’m like, ‘Did she just say that aloud?’ Things like ‘I don’t want to work with a woman,’ ‘she will soon go on maternity leave,’ women need to be deliberate. Just because an issue doesn’t affect you or you have surmounted that issue doesn’t mean that issue doesn’t exist.

“Women need to start to mentor and sponsor each other actively. You get to the top, and you pull the ladder; you don’t want other women to get to the top; you want to be the only woman on the board. It happens a lot, and women need to address it. I feel like we should form a group for women to talk about the challenges that we are facing daily and no one wants to address. When these issues come up, women will help to sweep them under the carpet. Organisations are doing a lot, but the undertone is there.”

Isime, in her comments, maintained that support is not gender-specific, as it can cut across, urging participants to avoid envy and instead be happy at the success of another woman.

Providing another perspective, Mrs. Fadayomi said that supporting each other shouldn’t be a case of offering candy but of strengthening the weakness of another woman.

The Africa Prudential board chairman said, “In identifying it (weakness), you are saying to the woman, ‘You need to do more work in this area; don’t take shortcuts…’”

In her submission, Nyalandu reflected on the powerful role women play in shaping the future, emphasising the importance of education and opportunity.

“The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. Empowering a woman has a ripple effect on her household, her family’s health, and the community. My call today is for everyone to believe in the opportunity to transform a girl or woman’s life by enabling the unleashing of her potential through education, learning, and opportunities. Give us the platform and space. If you don’t, women will strive to take it,” she stated.

In her closing remark, UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, said the bank will continue to champion diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where women are empowered to excel and lead across various sectors.

“At UBA, we recognise the vital role women play in shaping economies, businesses, and families. This event underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women at every level. We believe that when women thrive, businesses, communities, and even nations prosper. Today’s discussion serves as a powerful reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to do—and UBA remains dedicated to accelerating that progress,” she said.