Young Women's Leadership Conference

An annual conference convening young Nigerian women in leadership, business, technology and public affairs. 1,500+ impacted. Third edition: Abuja, May 19.

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

More moments from the YWLC26. 🎤✨

From students to youth corps members and other attendees, participants shared their responses to a range of questions about themselves, their goals, and their aspirations.

#ywlc26 #ywlc

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

PANEL 3 — Technology & Digital Skills

Thank you to our visionary panelists:
- Khalil Suleiman Halilu [EVC/CEO, NASENI (ably represented)]
- Hon. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi [DG, NITDA (ably represented)]
- 'Lami Apejoye @MsLami_A (Project Coordinator, DELTHer)
- Amu Ogbeide (Group CEO, @sapphital)
- Farida Kabir (Tax Technology Leader, PwC)
- Maryam Gwadabe (Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister for Communication & Digital Economy)

And to our moderator, Aaliyah Ephraim (Communications Lead, Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy).

To every panelist across all three sessions, thank you so much for honouring our invitation. 💜

#YWLC26 #CLTC #YWLC

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

PANEL 2 — Business & Entrepreneurship

Thank you to our exceptional panelists:
- Mr. Charles Odii [Director General, SMEDAN]
- Princess Zarah Audu [DG, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council]
- Mrs. Nonye Ayeni [Director General, National Export Promotion Council - ably represented]
- Dr. Samira Abubakar Abdullahi [National Coordinator, NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs]
- Hajiya Maryam Bello [Team Lead, Business Advisory and Support Services, Abuja Enterprise Agency]

And to our moderator, Latifah Aspitah Isah FCAI NBDSP [Business Development Consultant].

#YWLC26 #CLTC #YWLC

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

.@ywlc_ng 2026 was made extraordinary by the remarkable women and men who gave their time, knowledge and experience to our attendees. On behalf of @cltcnigeria, I’d like to thank every panelist who honoured our invitation.

PANEL 1: Leadership, Governance & Public Affairs

Thank you to our incredible panelists:
- Hon. Jamila Shuaibu [Executive Director, Women in Politics and Governance]
- Lady Diana Eyo-Enoette [Special Assistant on SDGs to the Governor of Delta State]
- Hon. Sally Suleiman @is_salsu [Special Adviser on SDGs to the Governor of Edo State]
- Hajiya Farida Odengi [APC Women Leader, FCT]
- Titilope Anifowoshe @d_LegalEagle [Executive Director, Eagles Foundation for Humanity]
- Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajimobi [Disability EdTech Leader]

And our moderator, Kehinde Charity Awujoola @KennyolaNYCNpro (Senior Special Assistant on Gender Matters to the Honourable Minister for Youth).

#YWLC26 #CLTC #YWLC

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

Memorable moments from the #YWLC26 red carpet Q&A session featuring our distinguished guests and amazing participants. ✨

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

Highlights from the welcome address of our Convener and DG-CLTC, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, at this year’s edition of the Young Women’s Leadership Conference.

#YWLC #YWLC26

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

Some of the amazing faces from YWLC’26 ✨

A compilation of participants who joined us for this year’s engagement, beautifully captured by one of our attendees.

#YWLC #YWLC26

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

My sincere appreciation to Dist. Sen. Ede Dafinone (ably represented), the DG @SMEDANGov @TheCharlesOdii (who helped facilitate grants for 12 nano businesses right there at the venue); Princess Zarah Audu, DG @PEBECgovng, who left a crucial retreat to join us and confirmed attendance the moment I asked, even before checking through her schedule; DG NPC, Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi, for his constant support and encouragement; my dear sister, Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi @titilopegb, SA to the President on Youth Initiatives, who always, always shows up for me; and the DGs NOA, NITDA, NEPC, who were all ably represented. #YWLC26

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

I also wish to thank Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa @abikedabiri, CEO of NiDCOM and Chairperson of the Forum of Female CEOs/Heads of Agencies, for honouring us with her presence and engaging with participants.

I do not take your support for granted. Thank you very much, ma’am.

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Hajiya @hadizabalausman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, for honouring @cltcnigeria’s invitation to deliver the keynote address at this year’s edition of the Young Women’s Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng.

She spent a lot of time with us and interacted extensively with the young women present. It’s an experience that they won’t forget; we are grateful. #YWLC26

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

I was on @NewsCentralTV last night to speak about women’s inclusion in politics and young women’s leadership, following our very successful outing yesterday at this year’s edition of @YWLC_ng.

#YWLC26

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

Purple Rain 💜

[Aderinsola Abiola @RinsolaAbiola]

Please follow the official YWLC account (here and IG) for prompt updates on post-conference initiatives. This time, we intend to engage members of the community through successive programmes until the next edition comes along, God willing. We signed a partnership agreement with @AWLN_Nigeria to that effect yesterday as well. 💜

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

stay connected and watch out for announcements on follow-on programmes and opportunities.

#YWLC #YWLC26

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

Yesterday was powerful!

From the conversations and connections to the energy and impact in the room, YWLC’26 was truly an unforgettable experience.

To everyone who joined us physically and virtually, thank you for being part of the journey.

And this is only the beginning….

[Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU) @CRDCUPolicyFGN]

SPECIAL ADVISER HADIZA BALA USMAN CHARGES YOUNG WOMEN TO LEAD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION AT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2026, CALLS FOR DELIBERATE INVESTMENT IN YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AND ENTERPRISE

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, and Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), @hadizabalausman, today emphasised the urgent need to move beyond merely acknowledging the potential of young Nigerian women to deliberately creating systems that allow them to lead, build, and shape the future of the country.

Bala Usman said this in her keynote address she delivered at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference 2026 organised by the Office of the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Institute Centre today in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, *“Innovate. Influence. Impact: Accelerating Young Women’s Roles in National Development,”* the Special Adviser spoke extensively on the need to move young women from the margins of conversations to the centre of leadership, innovation, governance, and economic transformation. According to her, Nigeria cannot fully unlock its potential if capable women remain excluded from spaces where decisions are made and opportunities are created.

She encouraged young women to become active participants in governance and nation-building, noting that influence is not simply about visibility, but about using competence, credibility, and leadership to shape outcomes and create impact.
The Special Adviser further urged institutions across government and the private sector to deliberately create pathways for women to lead through inclusion, sponsorship, and access to leadership opportunities.

She also encouraged young women to actively participate in public life, governance, entrepreneurship, and leadership, while urging institutions to move from symbolic inclusion to meaningful representation and structural support for women. According to her, the future of Nigeria depends on how effectively the country empowers its women to contribute to economic growth, institutional development, and national transformation.

The Special Adviser also commended the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, @RinsolaAbiola, for the competent leadership and remarkable work she has continued to demonstrate in public service. She noted that Rinsola Abiola has become a source of inspiration to many young women, proving through hard work, excellence, and dedication that women can achieve greatness and make meaningful impact in leadership and nation-building.

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

and impact.

Thank you to everyone who made this experience unforgettable!

Until next time. 💜💜

#YWLC #YWLC26

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

And it’s a wrap on YWLC’26 ✨

From powerful panel sessions to inspiring keynote addresses, spoken word, goodwill messages and impactful conversations, today has been nothing short of transformative.

We leave with clarity, purpose, and renewed commitment to leadership, growth...

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital world.

A powerful closing panel to an impactful day.

#YWLC #YWLC26

[Young Women's Leadership Conference @YWLC_ng]

Panel Session III, the final session, is now in session at YWLC’26 ✨

Topic: Technology & Digital Skills
Theme: Technology as a Career and Business Frontier

The conversation is centered on how young women can harness technology for career growth, innovation and business…