UBA Business Series Highlights ‘Gen.W’ as Women Redefine Leadership, Enterprise

March 13, 2026
L-r: Media Personality, Tobi Bakre; Head, Retail Products, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tomiwa Sotiloye; Group Head, Customer Experience, UBA, Michelle Nwoga; Entrepreneur, Fine Funky, Olufunke Davies(fine Funky); Founder, ORIKI, Joycee Awosika; Group Head, Brands, Marketing & Corporation, UBA, Alero Ladipo; Renowned broadcaster, Arise TV, Ayo Mairo-Ese; Head, Remittances, UBA, Uzoamaka Oyeka, Media Personality, Tomike Adeoye, and Executive Director Designate, Digital Banking, UBA, Emmanuel Lamptey, during the UBA Business Series, themed, “Introducing gen.w – The Evolved Woman,” which was held at the UBA House in Lagos, on Thursday.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Thursday hosted a new edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”

The hybrid event, held at the bank’s headquarters in UBA House in Lagos and streamed live to participants across the globe, formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month.

The session focused on the evolving role of women in leadership, business and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while creating sustainable impact across industries.

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In her opening remarks, UBA’s Group Head of Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, said the concept of the evolved woman reflects a growing wave of women who are stepping forward to lead, contribute ideas and make their voices heard in professional and social spaces.

The event was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who described the evolved woman as someone grounded in self-worth and committed to empowering others. According to him, the idea of evolution does not represent a checklist or final destination but a continuous process of growth and self-awareness.

“When I think about the evolved woman, I do not see a checklist or finish point. It is a woman who is grounded in her self-worth and also creates room for other women to be grounded in theirs, choosing herself daily while letting other women around her know that they belong here too,” he said.

L-r: Head, Retail Products, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tomiwa Sotiloye; Entrepreneur, Olufunke Davies(Fine Funky); Founder, ORIKI, Joycee Awosika; Group Head, Brands, Marketing & Corporation, UBA, Alero Ladipo; Renowned Broadcaster, Arise TV, Ayo Mairo-Ese; Media Personality, Tomike Adeoye, and Executive Director Designate, Digital Banking, UBA, Emmanuel Lamptey, during the UBA Business Series, themed, “Introducing gen.w – The Evolved Woman,” which was held at the UBA House in Lagos, on Thursday.

The session featured panel discussions with entrepreneur and founder of the ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; media personality and digital entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies; and award-winning broadcaster Ayo Mario-Ese, who shared personal experiences about their journeys, challenges and growth as female business owners.

Awosika described the evolved woman as someone who understands her identity and value, stressing that women must grow alongside their businesses while continuously improving their leadership skills.

“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table; she is creating her own table and adding value. As your company grows, you must grow too and constantly audit yourself to become a better leader,” she said.

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Adeoye noted that conversations around what women bring to the table are becoming outdated as many women are now building their own platforms and setting new standards for leadership and entrepreneurship.

“The evolved woman is more vocal about her struggles, sets her own standards and refuses to give up on her dreams,” she added.

Mario-Ese, on her part, encouraged women to confidently share their achievements, observing that many often hesitate to showcase the impactful work they are doing.

“A lot of women are doing phenomenal work but are sometimes afraid to showcase it. As an evolved woman, you have to find what you are comfortable doing, create your unique offering and also remain open to collaboration,” she said.

Davies highlighted persistence and adaptability as key elements of entrepreneurial success, revealing that she explored several business ventures before discovering the right niche for her brand.

“It is important to research, streamline and focus on relatability, but the key thing is to start from where you are because growth is a progression,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, commended the panellists and participants for sharing insights that could inspire other women to pursue leadership and business opportunities.

She also highlighted the bank’s Gen W platform, which she described as a lifestyle initiative designed to support women through access to expert insights, networking opportunities and practical resources for personal and professional growth.

According to Ladipo, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, advancing careers and leading across industries, while also offering access to discounted products and loan opportunities. She noted that the initiative is open to all women, regardless of whether they hold an account with the bank.

Through initiatives such as the Business Series, UBA said it remains committed to empowering women and entrepreneurs by fostering mentorship, knowledge exchange and thought leadership aimed at inspiring the next generation of female innovators across Africa and beyond.

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Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.

Amanze Chinonye

Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.

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