CIoD Nigeria to Spotlight Women's Influence in the Boardroom at 2026 Biennial Conference

At a time when discussions around influence, leadership, and representation are reshaping boardrooms across Africa, the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria is set to host its 2026 Women Directors' Biennial Conference in Lagos on July 1st. Organised by the Women's Group of the Institute, the conference brings together leading women in governance, business, and public service to examine how influence is built and exercised at the highest levels of decision-making. For Ronke Sokefun, F.CIoD, Chairperson of the Women's Sectoral Group of the CIoD, the conference is about equipping and connecting women leaders with the ideas, networks, and strategies required to shape decisions, drive growth, and contribute meaningfully to the future of institutions and the economy.

While women have made significant strides in leadership, Mrs. Sokefun notes that the next challenge is translating representation into influence. This conference is designed to address this gap by providing women leaders with practical insights into navigating pathways to boardroom leadership, strengthening governance and institutional resilience, and leveraging influence to drive strategic outcomes. The programme will feature a keynote address by Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON, former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing, as well as a keynote presentation, executive roundtables, and panel discussions. These sessions will explore the intersection of leadership, wealth creation, and decision-making, providing opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among participants.

The theme of this year's conference, "From Presence to Power: Advancing Women's Influence in the Boardroom," reflects the need for women to transition from representation to real authority. As Mrs. Sokefun puts it, "Women have made significant strides in leadership, but the next challenge is translating representation into influence." This conference aims to equip women leaders with the skills and strategies required to shape decisions, drive growth, and contribute meaningfully to the future of institutions and the economy. By bringing together leading voices across business and public service, the conference will provide a platform for women leaders to share their experiences, learn from each other, and connect with potential collaborators and partners.

The CIoD Nigeria's 2026 Women Directors' Biennial Conference is part of a broader industry movement towards greater diversity and inclusion in boardrooms across Africa. As companies and institutions continue to grapple with the challenges of the 21st century, they are recognizing the need for more diverse and inclusive leadership teams. By providing a platform for women leaders to connect, learn, and grow, the conference is an important step towards advancing women's influence in the boardroom. As the African economy continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that women are empowered to take on leadership roles and shape the direction of the continent.

As the CIoD Nigeria's 2026 Women Directors' Biennial Conference gets underway, it is clear that women's influence in the boardroom is a critical issue that requires attention and action. With the theme "From Presence to Power: Advancing Women's Influence in the Boardroom," the conference is an important step towards empowering women leaders to take on more significant roles in shaping the future of institutions and the economy. As Mrs. Sokefun notes, "We are bringing together voices that have not only broken barriers but continue to redefine what effective leadership looks like." With this momentum, it is likely that women's influence in the boardroom will continue to grow, leading to more diverse and inclusive leadership teams across Africa.

In the long run, the success of the CIoD Nigeria's 2026 Women Directors' Biennial Conference will depend on the ability of women leaders to translate representation into influence. By equipping and connecting women leaders with the ideas, networks, and strategies required to shape decisions, drive growth, and contribute meaningfully to the future of institutions and the economy, the conference will be an important step towards advancing women's influence in the boardroom. As the African economy continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that women are empowered to take on leadership roles and shape the direction of the continent.