In recognition of Nigerian women who’ve made strides in Leadership, Enterprise, Advocacy and Business, Leading Ladies Africa recognized Nigeria’s 100 Most Inspiring women at the LLA 100 Women celebrated 100 Most Inspiring Women at a special gala and awards night tagged the LLA 100 Women Gala.

The LLA 100 Women Gala is a follow up to the 100 Most Inspiring Women In Nigeria list published on March 8, this year in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.

Themed “Celebrating Leadership, Diversity & Impact,” the #100 Women Gala recognizes and spotlights the achievements of Nigerian women who have made tangible impact and contributions in four unique spheres of the society.

“At Leading Ladies Africa, our key objective is to promote leadership, diversity and inclusion for African women – a call to have them participate in activities that ensure they lead better, fulfilling, and ultimately more productive lives,” said Francesca Uriri, Founder, Leading Ladies Africa.

“As Nigerian women and Africans, it is important that we begin to tell our own stories. We need to begin to craft the narrative that we want the world to know about us – that we are successful, courageous, determined and bold! At LLA, we have a clear intent of inspiring a new wave of Nigerian female change makers, leaders and entrepreneurs, and recognizing these 100 Women is an important way to achieve that objective” she emphasized.

Speaking at the event, Omotola Oyebanjo, head strategic communications and media, Union Bank said: “This year, Union Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary and for those 100 years, we have supported and empowered women to achieve their dreams, both within the bank and externally. It is therefore a pleasure to support this amazing list of 100 impressive ladies making an impact in Nigeria. As their banking partner of choice, we look forward to supporting them and other such industrious women as they move on to the next phase of their incredible journeys.”

“Boldness and courage are synonymous with leadership” said keynote speaker, WISCAR Founder, Amina Oyagbola, who spoke on ‘Leading with Boldness and Courage in times of Change.’ “As leading ladies, we must banish all negative conditioning from our lives.  We must fight for the change that we seek in our nation and in our world. Now more than ever, the proper response to the challenges we face lies in principled, resolute, imaginative, courageous, and focused leadership by each and every one of us.”

Harping on the need for women to collaborate with and support each other, Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder, Leap Africa, and Co-Founder, AACE Foods, said: “The concept of “small is beautiful,” is overplayed, and we women need to learn to be authentic, to be vulnerable to ask for help. On leading and creating a succession plan, she said: “A great mistake any leader can make is to take the thought of succession for granted. As a leader, you must think beyond now. A woman must have a succession plan regardless of how young her business is.”

In addition to the 100 honourees, the Leading Ladies Africa Gala was also attended by Power Women in the Corporate and Business sector, including: Adesuwa Oyenokwe, Publisher TW Magazine, Aishah Ahmad, Chair Person, WimBiz, Chizor Malize, CEO Brandzone Consulting, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Head Marketing Communications, Stanbic IBTC, Osayi Alile, CEO, ACT Foundation, Ini Abimbola, CEO, Thistle Praxis, Tampiri Akemu, MD, Sesema PR, Okaima Ohizua, Executive Director Transcorp Nigeria, Owen Omogiafo, Chief Operating Officer, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Sasha Alabi, Glory Edozien, Founder Inspired By Glory, Ewemade Emokpae, CEO Shakara Couture, and others.

The Leading Ladies Africa Gala was made possible by the support of Union Bank Nigeria, Avon HMO, Aramex Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, Gazmadu Photography Studios, Sesema Public Relations and Zerophur Concepts.

Leading Ladies Africa is a Nigerian-based registered non-profit founded with the core objective of promoting Leadership, Enterprise and Diversity for African women.

Through a number of targeted programmes and events Leading Ladies Africa is raising the next generation of African female leaders and change makers – those who are actively contributing to the development and transformation of the African continent.