Adesunmbo Adeoye is a passionate entrepreneur and Convener of the annual Inspiring Change Conference, a platform where she impacts knowledge, inspires change and transforms the lives of men and women in business, with a focus on nation building.
The Inspiring Change Conference has evolved to become one of the most inspiring women conferences in the country.
Adeoye sits on the board of several companies and offer advisory services to SME from all industries. She is a mentor to many and recipient of numerous awards for her dedication and contribution towards progressive initiatives and humanity, in Nigeria. In this interview with IFEOMA OKEKE-KORIEOCHA, she shares major success stories she has achieved through the event and why she is interested in women empowerment.
Why the interest in women empowerment?
Because I believe women are powerful! When a woman is empowered, she builds a stronger home, raises confident children, and contributes to society. Women are multipliers—give her a little, and she will turn it into something great!
My passion is deeply rooted in my faith. Jesus empowered women in His ministry—He spoke to the Samaritan woman, defended the woman caught in adultery, and honoured Mary and Martha. I believe we are called to lift one another up. That’s my mission.
Growing up as a teenager, what informed your career path, and how did you deviate from it?
Interestingly, I wanted to be an accountant! Numbers fascinated me, and I pursued it academically. But God had other plans—He led me into entrepreneurship, leadership, and ministry. Today, everything I’ve learned still plays a role in what I do, from financial management to business strategy.
Life is a journey, and sometimes, God redirects us to where we are needed the most. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has good plans for us—plans to prosper us and give us a future. I’m just walking in His plan!
Take us through your journey of founding the Inspiring Change Conference which has been on for 12 years now. How did it begin?
The Inspiring Change Conference was birthed from a simple yet profound desire—to see women rise above limitations and step into their God-given potential. I believe that when a woman is empowered, a whole generation is empowered! Over a decade ago, I looked around and saw so many women struggling, not because they lacked talent or passion, but because they lacked the right knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities. That’s when I knew I had to act.
I started small, gathering women in a room to share knowledge, insights, and faith-based encouragement. With time, the impact grew beyond my imagination. What started as a conference became a movement, attracting thousands of women yearly, and evolving into free skill acquisition programs and business grants. Today, the Inspiring Change Initiative is a thriving platform for personal, professional, and business development for women. And this is just the beginning!
Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” That is exactly what this initiative is about—giving women wisdom and understanding to succeed.
Since you started the conference and free skill acquisition program, what have been the challenges you encountered and how have you navigated them?
Oh, the journey has not been without its hurdles! One major challenge is funding. Running an impactful initiative like this requires resources—venue costs, logistics, training materials, facilitators, grants—and for the most part, we have relied on personal funds and the generosity of partners. However, I’ve learned to trust God’s provision. Each year, He raises helpers, and we keep pushing forward.
Another challenge is sustainability—ensuring that the women we train don’t just acquire skills but also translate them into income-generating ventures. That’s why we follow up with mentorship and networking opportunities to keep them accountable and on track.
Share major success stories you have achieved through the event.
There are so many inspiring testimonies! One of our remarkable stories is Oluwatemilorun, a single mother who attended the conference and today owns Oretide Foods, a thriving business that exports across four continents! She has not only built wealth for herself but has become an employer of labor, heavily empowering women along the way.
Another powerful testimony is Hilda, one of our grant beneficiaries. She used the funds she received from Inspiring Change, added it to her savings, and was able to buy her own photography equipment. Today, she is doing exceptionally well and looking to open her own studio.
Beyond business, we have also touched the lives of young girls in 14 schools within the Agege community, empowering them with knowledge and providing them with free books, school bags, and stationeries. Because we must accelerate action to ensure the future is bright, equal, and successful for every woman.
These are the real wins for me—seeing lives transformed, women becoming financially independent, and families breaking free from the cycle of poverty.
What are you looking to achieve this year with the conference, and how many women do you hope to reach?
This year, our theme is Making More Money, because economic empowerment is key! We want to equip women with practical skills, financial knowledge, and access to resources that will help them scale their businesses and careers. We are trusting God to impact over 1,500 women this year, through the conference and the free skill acquisition programs.
Our goal is simple: More Women. More Knowledge. More Money. Because when women thrive financially, homes are more stable, communities are stronger, and the nation benefits as a whole.
Take us through some of the skill acquisition programs you hope to initiate this year for women.
This year, we are expanding our training programs to include: AI and Branding – Helping women understand the power of Artificial Intelligence in business and branding.
Forex Trading – Teaching women how to navigate the financial market and build wealth through forex.
Cake Making – A skill that turns passion into profit, with opportunities in event catering.
Wig Making & Revamping – Because the beauty industry is ever-growing, and we want women to tap into it. The idea is to equip women with skills that are not only relevant but also profitable.
How do you follow up with the women you invest in to ensure they make income from the skills they have learned?
We don’t just train and leave them—we mentor, monitor, and connect them to opportunities. We have a network where they can engage with mentors, get business advice, and even apply for seed funding.
Some of our participants also get opportunities to showcase their businesses at our conferences and other networking events, allowing them to access a wider audience and potential customers.
The focus of the Inspiring Change Conference is to enhance knowledge and educate women for an equal and purposeful future. What do you think are the central challenges regarding gender-related issues, both in the workplace and in the home? How might they be overcome?
One of the biggest challenges women face is economic inequality—not because we lack ability but because many women don’t have access to the right opportunities. In the workplace, gender biases still exist. At home, many women struggle to balance family responsibilities with career growth.
To overcome these challenges, we need education, exposure, and empowerment. Women must be equipped with knowledge and confidence to negotiate better, take leadership roles, and own their financial power. I also believe that men should be part of this conversation—when they support and empower women, society wins!
As one with a keen interest in women’s welfare, what advice would you give to women, especially with the situation of things in the country?
I would say this: Don’t wait for things to get better before you take action. In tough times, there are still opportunities! Learn a skill, start a business, expand your network, and most importantly, trust God and move forward.
The economy might be tough, but women are tougher. We were built to adapt, evolve, and excel. Take that bold step, and watch God show up for you!
Where do you see the foundation in the next five to ten years?
By God’s grace, in the next decade, Inspiring Change will be a household name, with training hubs across Africa, touching millions of women. I see us partnering with global organizations, providing scholarships, funding women-led businesses, and raising a new generation of wealthy, purpose-driven women.
The best is yet to come, and I’m just excited to be part of this move!
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