Abolaji Odunuga is the publisher of London-based Duchess International Magazine and Convener, Duchess International Women’s Day Conference. An advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ms Odunuga is also the CEO/Principal Partner, Custodian Global Consult. She is currently the 70th President, Rotary Club of Crawley, United Kingdom. Many would remember her as the Nigerian Lady that founded the African Community in Surrey and Sussex (ACISS). One of her brands, Duchess International Magazine, is celebrating 10 years this year. In this interview with select journalists in Lagos, Ms Odunuga talks about the impact of the magazine and the 2025 Duchess International Women’s Day Conference coming up in Dakar, Senegal. She spoke with Sani Tureta.
Your journey in life has spanned technology, leadership, community building and advocacy. How did your experiences in these diverse fields shape the vision for the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference (DIWDC)?
The vision for the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference is a culmination of everything I’ve learned, felt and experienced across the many paths I’ve walked. My journey in technology taught me the importance of precision and problem-solving. In a way, technology is like life: you troubleshoot, you innovate, and you adapt to creating solutions that are both impactful and sustainable. That same mindset shaped my approach to leadership, where every decision needs to be strategic yet empathetic, balancing results with human connection.
Leadership gave me the opportunity to step into rooms where I could amplify voices that weren’t always heard. Community building taught me that we thrive when we collaborate, and advocacy revealed to me the power of storytelling—because it is through stories that people connect, learn, and grow. All of these fields converged into one clear truth: progress happens when we bring people together around a shared purpose.
The annual event was born out of that understanding. It is not just a conference; it is a global platform where women from diverse walks of life come together to not only share their stories but also spark change. Each edition is like writing a new chapter in the story of African women—on the continent and in the diaspora—taking charge of their destinies, challenging norms, and inspiring transformation. Every skill I have honed, from managing complex systems in IT to bridging cultures and advocating for diversity, finds its home in this vision. I often say connection is my life’s work, and DIWDC embodies that. It’s a movement that connects dreams with possibilities, leaders with aspiring changemakers, and ideas with action. That’s the ultimate synergy of my journey.
What was the pivotal moment that sparked the idea for the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference? And how did you overcome the initial challenges in turning that vision into a reality?
The spark for the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference came from a deeply personal realization: when it comes to engagements, advocacies and discussions about African women, there’s the need to redirect our focus from specific aspects of women’s challenges, often excluding the critical roles men play or narrowing scope to women and girl-children alone. And that became the primary motivation for the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference and Duchess Africa. So, apart from our dynamic and holistic inclusivity – recognizing that overcoming systemic and social challenges requires the engagement of men as allies, collaborators, and advocates, we are intentionally incorporating men into the conference programming, workshops and initiatives, alongside a balanced focus on empowering both the girl-child and the boy-child. DIWDC fosters a comprehensive approach to creating transformative, sustainable change.
Also, I have had the privilege of sitting in spaces where decisions are made – spaces that too often lacked diverse representation. I realised that if we as African women did not create platforms to tell our stories, someone else would – and they might not tell them the way they deserve to be told. Turning the vision into reality wasn’t without challenges.
The first hurdle was creating a platform that would resonate across generational, cultural and professional divides. I knew it couldn’t just be another event. It had to be a movement that addressed real issues like economic empowerment, leadership, health, and cultural preservation. Building trust among partners and stakeholders was another challenge, especially in an environment where resources can be scarce.
We started small but focused on quality and authenticity. The first edition in Kigali was proof of concept. Women came together, not just to be listen but to lead, collaborate and commit to action. What helped us overcome those early obstacles was staying true to the mission. And when we hosted the second edition in Nairobi, Kenya, we didn’t compromise on our values, and we built alliances with people and organizations that shared our vision.
I also leaned heavily on my network and experience, knowing that the strongest movements are built on the foundation of trust and connection.
Meanwhile, before the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference was born, I had already laid the foundation for celebrating and elevating African women through Duchess International Magazine, which I launched in 2015. The magazine became a platform to inspire, empower and showcase the brilliance and magnificence of African women from all walks of life. It was my way of telling our stories, amplifying our voices, and celebrating the diversity within our shared identity.
By 2023, I felt a deeper calling – a desire to do more. I decided to take the celebration of International Women’s Day beyond borders, traveling to African countries to discuss the global theme of the day, but through our lens as African women. It wasn’t just about adapting the theme to our reality; it was about addressing the unique challenges and opportunities we face and creating a space for connection, collaboration, and transformative dialogue.
Living in the United Kingdom for some time now, I’ve had a profound realization: in the eyes of a white person, I am first and foremost a Black woman – not a Nigerian woman. To them, our individual nationalities and ethnicities are not as distinct as we often perceive them to be. Yet, when I see another African woman – perhaps a Ghanaian – it’s easy for me to say, “Oh, she’s Ghanaian,” even though we look so alike, with our radiant melanin sparkling together. This contrast sparked a powerful thought: why don’t we, as Africans, start identifying ourselves as one, as Africans, instead of focusing so much on our national or ethnic labels?
That realization became the heartbeat of the conference. I wanted us, as African women, to reclaim our collective identity, to unite under a shared banner of sisterhood, and to start telling our stories – not from foreign perspectives, but from within our own lands. I want to be identified not just as a Nigerian woman, but as an African woman. Because our strength lies not only in our diversity but in our unity. DIWDC was born from this vision – a movement to celebrate and empower African women as a unified force. It’s about breaking barriers, building bridges, and igniting a pan-African spirit that redefines what it means to lead, connect, and thrive as African women in the world today.
From the first edition in Kigali to Nairobi and now Dakar, how has the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference evolved in scope, impact and significance? What lessons have you learned along the way?
The journey from Kigali to Nairobi to Dakar has been nothing short of transformative, both for Women’s Day Conference and for me personally. The first edition in Kigali was intimate – a proof of concept that brought together a small but passionate group of women leaders. It was there that we saw the hunger for a platform where African women could come together to reimagine what leadership, empowerment, and collaboration could look like. That first event planted the seeds of something much bigger.
By the time we reached Nairobi, DIWDC had grown in scope and ambition. We had more attendees, more diverse voices, and a broader agenda that tackled not just leadership but also critical issues like health, climate change, and entrepreneurship. Nairobi taught us the importance of adaptability – listening to the needs of our participants and tailoring our programmes to reflect their realities.
Now, as we prepare for Dakar, the evolution is even more apparent. event has become a movement, a platform where African women from across the continent and the diaspora converge not only to share ideas but to chart actionable pathways for change. The conference has expanded in significance by focusing on cross-sector collaboration, amplifying women’s voices in global dialogues, and ensuring that every conversation leads to measurable impact. For example, our sessions now include policy advocacy, investment opportunities and targeted training programmes that address specific needs like financial literacy and digital transformation.
The 2025 theme is ‘Accelerate Action: A Call to Ignite, Empower, and Engage African Women for Transformative Realities.’ What specific areas of leadership or action do you believe African women need to focus on today?
The theme for 2025, ‘Accelerate Action,’ is both a challenge and a rallying cry. It is a call for urgency, not because African women lack capability, but because the world cannot afford to wait any longer for their full potential to be unleashed to truly create transformative realities.
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What can attendees expect from #DIWDC2025 in Dakar, and how do you envision the event creating lasting impact beyond the conference?
DIWDC2025 in Dakar will be nothing short of transformative. Attendees can expect a vibrant fusion of thought leadership, cultural richness and actionable solutions. This is not just a conference; it’s an immersive experience where every session, every connection, and every conversation is designed to spark something meaningful.
Dakar, with its deep cultural roots and dynamic energy, is the perfect backdrop for this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action: A Call to Ignite, Empower, and Engage African Women for Transformative Realities.” We’re bringing together trailblazers, changemakers, and dreamers from across the continent and diaspora to collaborate on pressing issues like leadership, economic empowerment, climate action and cultural preservation. Expect hands-on workshops, high-impact panel discussions, and networking opportunities that go beyond exchanging business cards—this is about building lifelong partnerships.
But the magic doesn’t stop at the closing ceremony. We are committed to creating lasting impact by ensuring actionable outcomes. Attendees will leave with toolkits, partnerships and strategies to implement in their communities.
For instance, the Dakar edition will include mentorship programmes for young women, policy dialogues with actionable roadmaps, and follow-up initiatives to track progress. It is about creating a ripple effect: what starts in Dakar will inspire transformation in homes, workplaces and communities across Africa and the world. Dakar 2025 is more than an event; it’s a call to action. Together, we’ll write a new narrative for African women—one where collaboration fuels progress, and no woman is left behind.
Where do you see Duchess International Magazine and the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference in the next 10 years?
In 10 years, I see Duchess International Magazine standing as the global voice for African women—a publication that doesn’t just tell our stories but shapes them, inspires them, and connects them. It will be a trusted platform for thought leadership, celebrating the achievements of African women in every corner of the world while also advocating for the changes we still need to see. As for the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference, I envision it becoming the definitive summit for African women, akin to the Davos of women’s leadership and empowerment. It will be a space where policymakers, innovators, and grassroots changemakers come together to set the agenda for the continent’s future. I see it expanding into year-round initiatives—mentorship programmes, think tanks, and economic forums that provide tangible solutions to issues African women face.
More than just growth in size, I see profound impact. I see scholarships awarded to young girls and boys who might never have had the chance to pursue their dreams. One of the core aims of the conference, and indeed Duchess Africa, is to nurture and empower both the girl child and the boy child, because true transformation lies in balance. A “Duchess” represents a woman, a mother, a nurturer of greatness—one who ensures that all her children, regardless of gender, are equipped to reach their full potential. This philosophy is at the heart of everything we do, fostering a future where both boys and girls can thrive in harmony and mutual empowerment.
I also see businesses and social enterprises born out of connections made at the conference. I see policies shaped by the ideas shared on our stages. Both the magazine and the conference will be a nexus of possibilities, places where African women and their allies can dream big, act boldly, and leave lasting legacies.
In 10 years, we won’t just be looking back at how far we’ve come; we’ll be looking forward to how much further we can go.