Women Enterprise Day was held on Thursday, 20th November 2025, at Lilygates Hotel, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, attracting 105 participants, including women leaders, founders, executives, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Centered on the theme “Women Who Lead, Ventures That Thrive,” the event celebrated the vital contributions of women to Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape and explored pathways for strengthening women-led enterprises. The day opened with an inspiring keynote address by Abimbola Balogun, Co-founder of So Fresh County, who spoke passionately about intentional leadership, building resilient businesses, and the importance of prioritizing structure, innovation, and customer-centricity. Her message encouraged women to lead boldly and leverage opportunities within the evolving business environment.
A major highlight of the event was the panel session titled “Leading from the Front: Lessons from Women Building Impact-Driven Businesses.” The conversation brought together accomplished women who are driving transformation across diverse sectors
Panelists:
• Derayo Animashaun – CEO, De’Rayo
• Ozioma Ukegbu-Onwordi – Founder, Eden Whole Foods
• Adeola Balogun – COO, Limlim Foods Production Company Ltd
• Olabisi Korede-Dada – Director, Toke FMCG Ltd
• Dammy Feyide – Head, SME Strategy, Providus Bank
Moderator: • Iyemietemi Vincent-Okeke, Founder and Editor, Orange and Steel
The session explored practical insights on leadership, resilience, financial management, and scaling strategies tailored to women entrepreneurs. Panelists shared candid stories of navigating challenges, building strong teams, accessing finance, and creating products that meet real market needs. Their experiences reinforced the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning for women-led businesses to thrive.The event also featured an exciting pitch competition sponsored by Providus Bank, which provided a platform for women founders to showcase their innovative ideas. Eden Whole Foods and IJM Global Limited emerged as the winning businesses, securing financial support to further grow their ventures. Women Enterprise Day not only celebrated the achievements of women entrepreneurs but also reaffirmed the commitment of GEW Nigeria to creating inclusive spaces where women can access visibility, funding, and opportunities for sustainable growth.