The Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has hailed Nigerian women as the heartbeat of the country, undaunted, unyielding, and rising to shape a future of equity and progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Penpushing reports that Tinubu made the remarks at the 9th Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2025), conference held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The conference brought together women leaders, policymakers, development partners, legislators, and global voices to advance the theme “Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action.”
Penpushing further reports that the historic event came as Nigeria marks 65th Independence anniversary, on October 1, 2025 underscoring the centrality of women to the nation’s story and future.
The President represented by the Minster of Women Affairs and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim in his goodwill message, affirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women as protectors of families, drivers of innovation, and catalysts of the one trillion-dollar economy the government is building together.
Penpushing also reports that the President described Voice of Women (VOW) 2025 conference as a song of unity, pride, and enduring hope for a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, in her keynote address emphasized that Nigerian women have always risen to shape the nation’s destiny, from the Aba Women’s protest of 1929 to the return to democracy in the 1990s.
Penpushing reports that she stressed that Nigeria’s low representation of women in governance, currently less than 6%, must change, highlighting the importance of the Reserved Seats Bill.
The Minister declared that this is not an act of benevolence but an act of justice and strategic necessity, emphasizing that democracy without women is incomplete, while commending the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda pledged support for Women Radio 91.7FM through the training of 10 female journalists.
Penpushing further reports that Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, declared that women’s underrepresentation in governance will soon become history, pledging legislative backing to ensure the Reserved Seats Bill succeeds.
The Convener of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW), Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, described the conference as a platform where women’s voices continue to shape Nigeria’s future.
Penpushing also reports that Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio stressed the urgency of deepening female political representation through harnessing the power of collective action, especially at the grassroots, where women remain the largest and most powerful voting bloc.
The renowned journalist noted that while grassroots women play a decisive role in elections, said it was high time women transform individual voting strength into a unified force.
“It is time we transform this individual voting strength into a unified force. When women support women across all divides, we become the decisive power that can shape governance,” she said.
Penpushing reports that she emphasized that the Reserved Seats Bill is critical to Nigeria’s democratic integrity, gender balance, and global standing, urging the President and the National Assembly to deliver on this historic legislation.
The convener added that the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill would not only deepen democracy but also mark the current government and legislature as true champions of women’s rights, gender equity, and inclusive governance.
Penpushing further reports that former Deputy President of South Africa, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, gave a stirring address during her firechat session, urging men to be active allies in women’s leadership.
The former Deputy President of South Africa emphasized that the struggle for gender equality is not for women alone but a collective responsibility, pointing out that African cannot with its future neglecting women
“Africa cannot win its future without women, and women cannot lead without the active support of men who share the vision of an inclusive society. We need men in politics, business, religion, and communities to stand with us, not as bystanders, but as partners in progress. Nigeria has the potential to lead Africa into a future where equity is the norm, not the exception’, she stated
Penpushing also reports that she challenged Nigerian leaders to ensure that commitments made at conferences translate into measurable outcomes for women and girls, adding that the world is watching Nigeria, and Nigeria must not lag behind.
The Awards Segment, trailblazers were honoured for advancing women and families across Nigeria, with winners including Women at Risk International Foundation, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), Guinness Nigeria Plc, and Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority.
Penpushing reports that individual honours went to Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (Lifetime Achievement), Meyiwa Vera (Social Media Innovation), Dr Dame Esther Uduehi, (Woman of the Year), with a posthumous award to the iconic Late Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
The Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW) is Nigeria’s foremost national inclusive platform amplifying women’s voices, inspiring collective action, and recognizing champions of gender equality.
Penpushing further reports that the conference was organized by the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation in partnership with Women Radio 91.7FM, while Voice of Women (VOW) continues to drive advocacy, policy engagement, and grassroots mobilization for a more inclusive Nigeria.
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