By Queen Kunde
In a call to action, women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and thought leaders converged on Abuja Tuesday 6th May for the 2025 Pre-5th Colloquium tagged Peace Africa, championing the theme “Women Entrepreneurs as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development and Economic Growth.”
The high-powered event, held in Abuja ahead of the main colloquium scheduled for Johannesburg later this year, united diverse voices around a single vision, empowering African women as key drivers of economic transformation.
Dr. Jophia Gupar, founder of the Pan-African Young Women Development Initiatives, in her opening address, revealed the inspiration behind the gathering: the harsh economic realities women faced in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Women’s businesses were shattered during the pandemic. It became clear we needed to regroup and reimagine our economic potential,” said Dr. Gupar.
She further decried the systemic financial hurdles keeping women out of politics, describing the female experience as “a battle” often fought without allies, even from those closest.
“Unity and economic power are non-negotiable,” she affirmed, setting the tone for an event that celebrated resilience while spotlighting persistent inequalities.
Representing the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imam Sulieman, Special Adviser Mrs. Enifolami Ola reiterated the federal government’s commitment to empowering women under the Tinubu-led administration. She emphasized that grassroots inclusion is central to national progress.
Royalty also lent its voice, with Olori Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, urging women to break free from societal constraints.
“We must think highly of ourselves beyond any opinion, especially from men,” Olori Ogunwusi declared. “I remain a committed pillar to women’s development.”
Media voices rallied too, as Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), represented by FCT Chairperson Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang, applauded the initiative’s timeliness.
“When women drive innovation, they generate jobs and build resilient communities. The outcome is always positive economic transformation,” she noted, promising NAWOJ’s partnership in the movement.
History-maker Comrade Grace Ike, the first female Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council in over four decades, delivered a heartfelt testimony on how financial empowerment enabled her to break barriers.
“Economic empowerment was my fuel. Without it, I wouldn’t have made history,” she shared.
The colloquium featured vibrant panel and group discussions on gender equity and innovation, presentations of women-led enterprises, an exhibition of African products and services, and tour sessions for knowledge exchange all underlining the potential of African women to reshape the continent’s future.
As the countdown to the Johannesburg edition continues, the Abuja gathering has lit a fire positioning African women not just as contributors to growth, but as architects of a more inclusive, resilient, and economically dynamic continent.
Discussion about this post