UBA Gen.W Business Series brings female leaders together in Lagos to discuss evolving roles of women in leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Thursday hosted an engaging edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”

Also read: UBA Unveils Investment and Banking Platform for Diaspora Nigerians

The hybrid event, held at UBA House in Marina, Lagos, and streamed live to participants across the globe, formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month.

The UBA Gen.W Business Series explored the evolving role of women in leadership, business and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while creating sustainable impact across industries.

Opening the session, UBA’s Group Head of Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, described the “evolved woman” as someone who actively shapes her environment and ensures her voice is heard.

“The evolved woman is one who is taking charge, volunteering and making her voice heard above the noise,” Nwoga said.

The event was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who reflected on the concept of the evolved woman as a journey rather than a destination.

“When I think about the evolved woman, I do not see a checklist or a finish point. It is a woman grounded in her own self-worth who also creates space for other women to believe that they belong,” he said.

Panel discussions featured prominent voices including founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; digital entrepreneur and media personality Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies; and broadcaster Ayo Mairo-Ese.

The speakers shared personal experiences about navigating entrepreneurship, leadership challenges and growth.

Awosika noted that the evolved woman understands her value and is confident enough to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table. She is creating her own table and adding value. As your company grows, you must grow too,” she said.

Adeoye added that modern women are redefining ambition by building their own platforms and speaking openly about their journeys.

“The question of what a woman brings to the table is now obsolete because the evolved woman is bringing her own table,” she said.

Broadcaster Ayo Mairo-Ese encouraged women to confidently share their achievements, warning that many are often reluctant to showcase their impact despite doing remarkable work.

“A lot of women are doing phenomenal work and sometimes hesitate to share their stories. As an evolved woman, you must find your unique offering and remain open to collaboration,” she said.

Entrepreneur Olufunke Davies highlighted persistence as a key ingredient in success, explaining that discovering the right business path often requires experimentation and continuous learning.

The Group Head of Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA, Alero Ladipo, praised the panelists and attendees for their contributions and reiterated the bank’s commitment to empowering women.

Ladipo also highlighted the bank’s Gen W platform, a lifestyle initiative designed to support women with expert insights, practical resources and access to discounted products and financial support.

“Through expert insights, real stories and practical resources, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, growing careers and leading across industries,” she said.

The UBA Gen.W Business Series continues to serve as a powerful platform for mentorship, knowledge exchange and thought leadership.

Also read: UBA Celebrates Modern African Women with Special Business Series Edition

By bringing together influential voices and practical experiences, the bank aims to inspire a new generation of women leaders and innovators across Africa and beyond.