The Evolved Woman took centre stage as United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc hosted a hybrid edition of its quarterly Business Series in Lagos. The event gathered accomplished female entrepreneurs and leaders to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.” Held at UBA House in Marina and streamed globally, the forum explored how women across Africa are redefining leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The Business Series formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month. It focused on the rising influence of the Evolved Woman in business and leadership, highlighting how African women are reshaping traditional expectations while creating sustainable impact within their industries and communities.
Giving the opening remarks, UBA’s Group Head of Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, described the Evolved Woman as someone who is no longer hesitant to step forward. According to her, women are increasingly asserting themselves in professional and social spaces.
She explained that the modern woman is actively shaping conversations and opportunities. Nwoga said the Evolved Woman is “one who is taking charge, volunteering and making her voice heard above the noise.”
Meanwhile, the session was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who reflected on the deeper meaning of the concept. According to him, becoming an Evolved Woman is not defined by a checklist or a final destination.
“When I think about the evolved woman, I personally do not see a checklist or a finish point,” Bakre said. “In my own opinion, it is a woman who is grounded in her own self-worth and gives room for other women to be grounded in theirs, choosing herself daily and ultimately letting other women around her know and believe that they belong here too.”
The panel featured prominent entrepreneur and founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; media personality and digital entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies; and award-winning broadcaster Ayo Mario-Ese. Each speaker shared personal experiences about the struggles and lessons that shaped their professional journeys.
Speaking during the discussion, Joycee Awosika emphasised the importance of self-awareness for the Evolved Woman. She explained that women should not wait to be invited into spaces of influence but should instead create their own opportunities.
“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table; she is creating her own table and adding value,” Awosika said. “As your company is growing, you must grow too and always do an audit of where you need to become a better leader.”
Tomike Adeoye agreed that the expectations placed on women in business are changing. According to her, women are no longer trying to prove they deserve a seat.
“The question of what a woman is bringing to the table has now become obsolete,” Adeoye said. “The evolved woman is now bringing her own table. She is more vocal about her struggles, setting the standards, and she is not ready to give up on her dreams.”
Broadcaster Ayo Mario-Ese raised concerns about how many women hesitate to celebrate their achievements. She explained that numerous women are doing exceptional work but often hold back from sharing their successes.
“A lot of women are doing phenomenal work and are sometimes afraid of showcasing what they are doing,” Mario-Ese noted. “As an evolved woman, you have to find what you are comfortable doing, create your unique offering, and also remain open to collaboration.”
Fashion entrepreneur Olufunke Davies also spoke about persistence and experimentation in business. She admitted that her entrepreneurial journey involved exploring several ventures before finding the right path.
“Creating unique designs that are affordable remains my driving force and something that has helped me grow as an evolved woman,” Davies said. “It is important to do your research, streamline your ideas and think about relatability. But the most important thing is to start where you are because growth is a progression.”
In addition, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, praised the panellists and participants for their contributions to the conversation. She stressed the importance of women supporting one another in their professional journeys.
“Raising each woman up is actually not that hard,” Ladipo said. “Everyone has their community and their story. As women, we need to take position so that we can give to others.”
Ladipo also highlighted the bank’s Gen W platform, a lifestyle initiative designed to support the Evolved Woman. She explained that the platform connects women across industries through practical resources, expert insights, and inspiring stories.
“Through expert insights, real stories and practical resources, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, growing careers and leading across industries,” she said. “The best part is that it is open to every woman. No UBA account is required. This is Gen W, for the evolved woman.”
Through initiatives such as the Business Series, UBA continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs across Africa. The programme provides a platform for mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
By bringing influential voices together, the bank aims to inspire a new generation of female innovators and leaders. Ultimately, the event reinforced a clear message: the Evolved Woman is not waiting for opportunities, she is creating them.
