WISCAR Reiterates Commitment to Women Leadership Development in Nigeria

Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women’s professional growth in Nigeria and Africa, celebrated the graduation of 38 exceptional mentees from the 15th cohort of its WIN 1 & 2 Mentoring Programme.

The graduation ceremony, held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Ebonylife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, marked the successful completion of the rigorous six- and twelve-month programmes designed to equip women with essential leadership skills and professional competencies. Through comprehensive modules mentees are empowered to navigate and excel in their careers while making meaningful contributions to society.

This year’s cohort, part of a growing network of over 600 alumnae since the programme’s inception, reflects WISCAR’s enduring mission to cultivate a generation of women leaders who rise, lead, and transform their professions and communities.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Amina Oyagbola,FCIoD Founder and Chairperson, WISCAR reflected on the organization’s 17-year journey of building women leaders and urged the graduating mentees to carry forward the values instilled during the program. She commented:

“As we mark the graduation of another remarkable cohort, I am filled with joy and deep gratitude. Seventeen years ago, WISCAR was founded with a simple but powerful vision: to bridge the gap in professional development and mentorship for women. Since then, we have nurtured, equipped, and empowered countless women to rise, lead, and thrive. This programme is more than mentorship—it is a transformative journey. It is an intentional space where women are inspired and empowered through guidance, knowledge-sharing, support, and meaningful connections. By equipping each mentee with the skills to rise and the responsibility to mentor others, WISCAR continues to build a movement of women leaders who are transforming their professions and communities.”

Representing the graduating class, valedictorian Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke described the experience as one of growth and transformation. She noted: “When I first joined the WIN 2 programme, I was filled with anticipation. I knew I was stepping into a space curated for excellence, but I could not have imagined the depth of insight, the richness of experience, and the profound personal and professional growth that awaited me. The WISCAR programme is not just a mentorship initiative, it is a movement. A movement that empowers women to rise, to lead, and to thrive. It is a sanctuary where ambition is nurtured, where leadership is cultivated, and where the voices of women are not only heard but amplified.”

Her sentiments were echoed by other alumnae, who also attested to the life-changing impact of the programme. Kilali David-West, who joined early in her career, reflected that the programme gave her clarity and direction, teaching her to align personal goals with organisational objectives while building confidence to embrace challenges and celebrate achievements. Similarly, Gbemisola Abayomi-Fagbayi shared that WISCAR not only deepened her understanding of leadership as a mindset but also gifted her a powerful sisterhood of peers and mentors. She noted that the programme has helped her rediscover her purpose, approach her career and business with renewed clarity, and embrace her worth with confidence.

Beyond the classroom, the graduating cohort demonstrated their commitment to community impact through the Grow and Learn Initiative, organizing outreach focused on financial empowerment for over 100 girls at Wahab Folawiyo Comprehensive Senior High School, Lagos.

The event was attended by WISCAR’s board of directors, mentors, and well-wishers who came together to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the WIN 1 and 2 graduates. Notable attendees were Mrs. Boma Ayomide-Alabi, SAN, WISCAR Advisory Board Member; Mrs. Funke Amobi, Chair Governance Programmes and Advocacy Committee, Prof Yinka David-West, Dean LBS/WISCAR Mentor and Arc. (Mrs) Dada Alamutu, WISCAR Mentor amongst others.

The WIN-with-WISCAR Mentoring Programme remains a structured competency-based development programme targeted at enhancing strong leadership skills, building individual capacity for personal mastery and overall workplace effectiveness based on the career interests and goals of participants. The programme is designed to address specific competency gaps and equip individuals with the critical skills necessary to progress in their careers.

Now in its 16th stream, the programme continues to build an influential network of women leaders who are making valuable contributions in the workplace and shaping the future of Nigeria’s corporate policy and society.