African women urged to move beyond talent, position for make leadership impact

African women have been challenged to go beyond talent and position themselves for visibility, leadership and impact.

Founder of Talented Women Network Africa, (TWN) Amarachi Okwuobi, gave the charge while speaking at the maiden Talented Women Corporate Conference she organised in Lagos.

According to Okwuobi Africa has no shortage of talented women, but many are held back by fear, societal pressure and limited access to opportunities.

In her words: “While Africa is full of talented women, the challenge is moving beyond talent through visibility, positioning and opportunity.”

She drew lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the crisis proved people could adapt under pressure.

“The pandemic showed us that when life demands more, we discover capacities we never knew existed. People learned skills, started businesses and embraced technology to survive,” she added.

For her, TWN was set up to bridge that gap by helping women turn gifts into influence.

The idea, she said, was inspired by watching women pour into others while neglecting themselves.

According to her, “We are not just motivational. We are a solution platform. We give women structures that turn talent into influence and impact.”

While urging women to embrace consistency and not fear criticism she said: “Every time consistency breaks, we lose ground. When it is sustained, we gain ground.

“You cannot grow without criticism. If no one has criticised you, maybe you haven’t stepped out enough. Don’t stay hidden. Your voice, your ideas, your contribution matter.”

She also told women to stop waiting for permission, adding, “If you are not invited to the table, invite yourself. The world is no longer debating if women are capable. The question now is whether women will step forward and take their place.”

Family Business Advisor & Executive Coach, Abiola Adeniran who spoke at the conference said the future of society depends largely on the quality of values instilled in children by parents, particularly mothers.

Adeniran, who works with ultra-high-net-worth families and family-owned businesses on wealth preservation, legacy planning and succession, noted that while many people focus on building successful careers and businesses, the home remains the most important institution for shaping future leaders.

She charged women to see the work of nurturing and raising children as a responsibility with far-reaching consequences.

“The future of the next generation lies in our hands as nurturers and home builders. The leaders of tomorrow are being raised in our homes today, and the values we teach them will determine the kind of nation we build,” she said.

According to her, women possess the unique ability not only to give life but also to nurture it, making them critical to raising responsible, ethical and visionary leaders.

She emphasised that the standards and value systems upheld within families would ultimately shape individuals capable of leading with integrity and contributing positively to Nigeria’s development.

Also speaking, Executive Director of SAS Textiles, Oluwatoyin Bakare, encouraged participants to move beyond transactional relationships and cultivate genuine human connections.

She said that many interactions today were driven by personal gain rather than sincere concern for others, urging women to intentionally build relationships founded on empathy, kindness and encouragement.

“We need to move from being transactional to being relational. It is not always about what you want from people. Sometimes, simply calling someone to ask how they are doing or encouraging them can make a significant difference,” she said.

Bakare stressed that genuine relationships reveal humanity and create lasting impact, adding that people should strive to become transformational rather than merely transactional in their dealings with others.

She further reminded participants that talent alone is not enough to guarantee success.

According to her, true character is revealed in private, urging women to build strong personal foundations based on integrity, resilience and consistency.

“It is not just about having talent. The real question is, who are you when nobody is watching? Build your life quietly on the right foundation, remain resilient and never give up. Believe that you can succeed,” she said.

The conference was held under the theme ‘Beyond talent’ and it brought together women entrepreneurs, leaders from various sectors.