The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IWD 2025

  • IWD 2025: BAT Nigeria reaffirms commitment to gender equity in leadership

    IWD 2025: BAT Nigeria reaffirms commitment to gender equity in leadership

    As gender diversity in leadership becomes a strategic necessity in today’s complex business landscape, BAT Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to advancing gender equity as part of its broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy.

    In line with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action,” the company is intensifying efforts to remove barriers and empower women to attain leadership roles based on merit and capability.

    “At BAT, we recognise that diverse leadership is not just about fairness, it’s about business excellence,” said Yarub Al-Bahrani, Managing Director of BAT West and Central Africa. 

    “Organisations that embrace inclusivity are more innovative, resilient, and better positioned for sustainable success. That is why we remain committed to advancing women’s leadership across all areas of our business.”  

    BAT Nigeria’s progress in this area, he explained, is evident through the recent appointments of Osose Aziba as the Head of Legal and Compliance, and Buky Olukoga as the Head of Human Resources and Inclusion for the West and Central Africa (WCA) region. 

    These appointments, he stated, bring the number of women holding key senior leadership positions in WCA to four, alongside Odiri Erewa-Meggison, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Director, and Kikelomo Fisayo-Okusanya, Head of Marketing Deployment.  

    However, BAT Nigeria’s approach to fostering female leadership, the MD underscored, is not just about boosting representation. 

    “The company aims to create an environment where women can excel across all functions, including those traditionally dominated by men, such as legal, regulatory affairs, security, and commercial strategy. This goal aligns with BAT’s broader strategy of embedding DEI principles throughout its leadership framework.  

    “This is not about meeting quotas. It is about ensuring that talent, expertise, and leadership capabilities irrespective of gender—are in leadership. Our objective is clear: to cultivate an inclusive environment where women can advance and lead at every level of the organisation,” Al-Bahrani emphasised.

    Read Also: IWD: Honouring women’s strength: Stories of resilience in the fight against cancer

    He said the company’s steadfast commitment to DEI has earned it recognition as a Global Top Employer in Nigeria and across Africa, a testament to its dedication to inclusion, talent development, and employee well-being.  

    “This recognition is not just an accolade, it reflects our continuous drive to embed diversity and inclusion into our corporate DNA. We do not only advocate for gender equity; we are institutionalising it,” Al-Bahrani added.  

    Beyond internal changes, BAT Nigeria is also setting a standard for industry-wide best practices throughout Africa. The company’s leadership believes that gender diversity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage that drives innovation, strengthens resilience, and ensures long-term success.  

    “Our ambition is clear. We are building a legacy where women are not only part of the conversation but are shaping the agenda. While we are committed to building A Better Tomorrow, we believe that Tomorrow can’t wait. The journey toward a more inclusive and equitable workplace is ongoing, and at BAT Nigeria, we are committed to leading the charge,” Al-Bahrani concluded.

    Through dedicated mentorship, career advancement initiatives, and a commitment to making leadership roles accessible to all, BAT Nigeria continues to showcase how gender equity can serve as a catalyst for business excellence and sustainable growth.

  • IWD 2025: IPC, ElectHER urge action on women’s rights, empowerment

    IWD 2025: IPC, ElectHER urge action on women’s rights, empowerment

    As the world commemorates International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, the International Press Centre (IPC) and ElectHER have called on the Nigerian government and stakeholders to take decisive steps in prioritizing the rights, empowerment, and well-being of women and girls.

    Drawing inspiration from the UN Women’s 2025 theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” the organizations emphasized the urgent need to accelerate efforts to boost women’s representation and dismantle systemic barriers.

    In a joint statement by IPC’s Olutoyin Ayoade and ElectHER’s Memunat Alli, they stressed that with less than five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), meeting SDG 5 on gender equality is crucial. 

    They noted that gender parity has a ripple effect on the other 16 goals and called for swift action to close gender gaps and improve Nigeria’s performance indicators.

    Read Also: 2024 FIFA U-U-17 Women’s World Cup

    The groups highlighted that achieving gender equality is essential for economic stability and prosperity. 

    However, Nigeria remains behind, with women occupying only 6 out of 34 ministerial positions, 6 deputy governorships, and a mere 3.9% of parliamentary seats as of February 2024. 

    The country ranks 116th out of 190 in UN Women’s 2024 global rankings on women in executive positions, underscoring the need for intensified efforts.

    Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, also underscored the media’s role in advancing democratic values and amplifying women’s voices in governance and decision-making.

    He said: “The media’s influence in shaping gender narratives is undeniable, reinforcing IPC’s commitment to empowering female journalists and supporting female candidates with essential media skills. 

    “While progress has been made, achieving these goals requires continued collaboration to ensure women’s active participation in leadership roles .”  

    Similarly, Ibijoke Faborode, Founder and CEO of ElectHER, emphasised the urgent need for gender-responsive reforms, linking women’s leadership to national development. 

    Faborode said: “As we mark IWD 2025, ElectHER remains committed to equipping women with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in political and leadership positions. 

    “The path to gender equity is not just a moral imperative, studies show that nations with greater women’s representation in government experience higher GDP growth, increased investment in social sectors like health and education, and stronger commitments to peace and security.”

  • Five major ways to celebrate IWD 2025

    Five major ways to celebrate IWD 2025

    International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration held annually on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls.

    The day also serves as a call to action for accelerating women’s equality and challenging biases and stereotypes that perpetuate gender inequality.

    What you can do to celebrate International Women’s Day:

    1. Educate Yourself: Learn about the history of IWD, the progress made towards gender equality, and the challenges that still exist.
    2. Amplify Women’s Voices: Share stories, achievements, and experiences of women who inspire you on social media using hashtags like #IWD and #InternationalWomensDay.
    3. Support Women-Led Organisations: Donate to or volunteer with organisations that work towards women’s empowerment and gender equality.
    4. Challenge Bias and Stereotypes: Speak out against discriminatory behavior and language, and promote inclusivity and respect in your community.
    5. Celebrate Women’s Achievements: Organise or participate in events, rallies, or campaigns that celebrate women’s achievements and promote gender equality.

    Read Also: Wema Bank plans big for IWD 2025

    International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and the work that still needs to be done.

    By educating ourselves, amplifying women’s voices, and challenging bias and stereotypes, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for women and girls everywhere.