Beyond the Summit: How Glo Is Building Culture of Support, Growth for Women

The first light of October 17, 2026 slipped through the glass panes of the Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, casting a warm glow over a room filled with women in business attire, laptops open, coffees steaming. A woman in a crisp navy suit stood at the podium, her hands poised over a microphone, and the room held its breath as she began to speak. That woman was Esther John, Head of Strategy, Office of the Executive Vice Chairman, and she was about to set the tone for a gathering that would echo beyond the walls of the conference room.

The third SheGlows Summit, themed Lead. Thrive. Grow., was not just another corporate event. It was a manifestation of Globacom’s belief that professional growth is inseparable from community support. The summit brought together women from every corner of the company, from entry‑level analysts to senior managers, to share stories, swap advice, and celebrate each other’s successes. The atmosphere was electric, but beneath the applause lay a deeper narrative: that growth is a collective journey, not a solitary climb.

Since its launch in 2025, the SheGlows Scholarship Fund has already touched the lives of four women, two each year. These scholarships are more than financial aid; they are a statement that talent deserves nourishment. The beneficiaries, whose names remain private in the source, have used the funds to pursue advanced degrees and industry certifications, positioning themselves for leadership roles within Globacom and beyond. The fund’s modest size belies its impact: each scholarship becomes a seed that, when nurtured, can blossom into a new leader who will, in turn, lift others.

The community’s mentorship programme, now in its second cohort, pairs experienced leaders with emerging talent. This relationship is a two‑way street: mentors learn fresh perspectives from their mentees, while mentees gain practical wisdom and confidence. The programme’s success is measured not by metrics alone but by the stories of women who, after a few months of guidance, have taken on new projects, led cross‑functional teams, and felt the tangible difference that a supportive hand can make.

Chairman Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. has been a vocal advocate for employee development, and his presence at the summit underscored the company’s commitment. His remarks highlighted that leadership is not confined to titles; it is about the impact one makes in any role. This philosophy permeates the SheGlows culture, encouraging women to step into leadership rolesformal or informalwithin their teams and communities.

Chair of the SheGlows community, Jumobi Mofe‑Damijo, emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating women who contribute to the community’s growth. She noted that establishing a culture of acknowledgment fuels motivation and sustains engagement. Her words resonated with attendees, many of whom shared personal anecdotes about how a simple thank‑you or a public shout‑out had propelled their careers forward.

As a writer who has witnessed the ripple effects of corporate initiatives across Africa, I find the SheGlows model strikingly sustainable. It blends tangible supportscholarships, mentorshipwith intangible assetsrecognition, community. This balance is essential in a continent where formal pathways to advancement can be uneven, and where networks often carry as much weight as credentials.

The SheGlows Summit is a milestone, but it is also a springboard. The community’s next steps include expanding the scholarship fund, launching a peer‑learning platform, and forging partnerships with external NGOs focused on women’s empowerment. If the current momentum continues, Globacom may soon become a benchmark for corporate women’s development in Africa, proving that when companies invest in people, the returns ripple beyond the boardroom.