Abosede George-Ogan: A Voice for Change in Nigerian Politics

As a champion of women’s empowerment and a seasoned leader in social impact and policy development, Abosede George-Ogan is a powerful force driving change in Nigerian politics. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, she has shaped the narrative around women’s leadership and advocated for greater representation in decision-making spaces. As the visionary founder of the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), Abosede has created a platform that not only equips women with the skills and confidence to lead but also challenges systemic barriers and pushes for policy reforms that promote gender equality.
George-Ogan shares her remarkable journey, her unwavering commitment to empowering women, and her vision for a future where women are at the forefront of Nigeria’s development, driving growth, innovation, and progress, in this interview with MARY NNAH

Can you share your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in the development sector?

I like to say that service is in my DNA. My father was a military man and my mother a teacher, so I grew up with a strong sense of discipline, commitment, and the importance of giving back to society. Those early influences shaped a career that has spanned over two decades at the intersection of social impact, policy, and leadership development.

I began my professional career in corporate social responsibility and sustainability, working with organisations like Keystone Bank, FirstBank, and Samsung Electronics West Africa. I later took on a pivotal public service role as the pioneer Director of Strategy, Funding, and Stakeholder Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

Over time, I came to understand that while impactful, individual projects and programs weren’t enough. True, lasting change requires systemic transformation. That realization led me to fully transition into the development sector where I could be more intentional about shaping policies and building programs that expand leadership opportunities for women.

What inspired you to start WILAN, and what are the organisation’s primary goals?

In 2018, I was searching for information about elections and the steps an aspirant needed to take to begin their journey. What I found instead was a striking lack of electoral education—and almost no information specifically tailored to women.

That gap led me to create WomeninPoliticsNG, a platform designed to fill that void. But as I engaged more deeply with the issues, I began to see that the problem wasn’t just about access to information; it was about representation. Women were largely absent from public leadership spaces and across sectors.

This realisation sparked the evolution of that initial platform into what is now the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN). WILAN was born out of a commitment to address the gender leadership gap in Nigeria and beyond. Women are underrepresented in decision-making roles, and I wanted to build an organisation that not only equips them with the skills and confidence to lead but also actively advocates for systemic change. At WILAN, we focus on leadership training, mentorship, gender advocacy, and policy engagement—because we know that real progress happens when women are not only prepared to lead but are also supported by structures that enable their leadership to thrive.

Your work with Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) is focused on equipping 100,000 women with leadership skills. What inspired this ambitious goal?

Women make up over 49% of Nigeria’s population, yet they occupy less than 10% of leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. That disparity isn’t about a lack of talent; it’s about a lack of access, opportunity, and structured support.

At WILAN, we believe leadership is not just about titles, it’s about access, influence, and impact. The goal to equip 100,000 women is rooted in our belief that widespread change requires a critical mass. By intentionally nurturing a pipeline of women leader across all sectors, we are investing in the future of inclusive governance, economic resilience, and social progress. This number isn’t just a milestone; it’s a movement toward closing the gender leadership gap in Nigeria and beyond.

Can you share with us WILAN’s strategy for equipping 100,000 women with leadership skills over the next decade?

Our strategy is anchored on three key pillars: capacity building, strategic partnerships, and digital advocacy.

First, through initiatives like the National Head Girl Project and our newly launched WILAN Leadership Institute, we deliver tailored leadership training designed to equip women at various stages of their journey from emerging voices to experienced professionals seeking to lead at the highest levels.

Second, we collaborate with organisations, universities, and government institutions to expand access to leadership opportunities. These strategic partnerships help us embed leadership development into wider systems and scale our reach sustainably.

Third, we use digital platforms for advocacy, education, and community building. Through our active online presence – webinars, social media campaigns, and virtual dialogues- we inform, inspire, and engage a growing community of women across Africa. It’s about sparking conversations, shifting mindsets, and making leadership feel accessible to every woman, no matter where she is. Together, these approaches are helping us shape a movement of 100,000 women who are equipped, visible, and ready to lead.

How do you envision WILAN’s work contributing to a more gender-balanced leadership landscape in Nigeria and beyond?

At WILAN, we’re working towards a future where women are not just present in leadership spaces but are actively shaping decisions that impact society at every level. We take a holistic approach – equipping women with leadership skills, advocating for gender-responsive policies, and addressing the cultural and societal barriers that often stand in the way.

Beyond training and advocacy, we also recognise the power of perception. Through media platforms like The Leading Woman Show and our MsRepresented campaign, we are changing the narrative around what leadership looks like and who gets to lead. By amplifying real stories of women in politics, business, and public service, we’re helping to challenge long-held stereotypes and inspire the next generation of female leaders.

The evidence is clear—McKinsey’s 2023 report shows that organisations with diverse leadership teams perform 25% better. When women lead, institutions become more inclusive, economies are stronger, and societies are more resilient. Our goal is to ensure that women are not only at the table but are leading the conversation, redefining leadership in Nigeria and across Africa.

Working across all three sectors has given me a unique perspective on both the barriers and the possibilities for advancing gender-balanced leadership.

In the private sector, I saw how companies with gender-diverse leadership teams perform better and make more balanced decisions. In the public sector, I witnessed how critical policy frameworks are to creating inclusive environments. And in the non-profit sector, I experienced the power of grassroots mobilisation and how communities can be inspired to challenge norms and demand change.

These experiences have shown me that closing the gender leadership gap requires a multi-layered approach: strong advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and intentional investment in women at every stage of their leadership journey. What drives me is the understanding that women have the capacity; what is missing are the opportunities, structures, and visibility. I’m passionate about building those bridges because when women lead, we all benefit. It’s not just a gender issue; it’s a national development imperative.

How did your work coordinating Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability for Keystone Bank, FirstBank, and Samsung Electronics West Africa impact your understanding of the importance of gender equality in the private sector?

During my time leading CSR and Sustainability initiatives at Keystone Bank, FirstBank, and Samsung, I came to understand that gender equality is not just a social issue; it’s an economic imperative. Companies that invest in women’s leadership consistently see higher productivity, innovation, and better financial performance, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum (2023).

Despite this, many organisations still lack policies and systems that genuinely support women’s growth. This experience reinforced my belief that gender equality should be a core part of corporate strategy, not just an afterthought or a component of CSR programs. It’s about making systemic changes that empower women to lead and contribute at all levels of the business.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles?

Own your ambition. Do not wait for permission to lead. Seek mentors, build strong networks, and continuously invest in personal development. Leadership is not about titles; it’s about influence and impact. And most importantly, lift others as you rise.

What drives your passion for promoting gender-balanced leadership, and how do you stay motivated in the face of challenges?

I’m driven by the conviction that no society can truly thrive without the full participation of its women. Gender-balanced leadership isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for national progress.

The road to change is never easy. Systemic barriers remain, and progress can feel painfully slow. But what keeps me going is the women we work with, the ones we train, mentor, and advocate for. Every time I see a woman find her voice, step into leadership, and influence change, I’m reminded that this work is not in vain. Those moments fuel my passion and reinforce my belief that we’re not just shifting narratives; we’re shaping the future.

You recently launched WILAN’s Women Leadership Institute – what is the vision behind it?

The WILAN Leadership Institute is a game-changer. Our vision is to inspire and advance gender-balanced leadership across Africa by empowering women to
become thriving, influential leaders. We are driven by the belief that when women are adequately supported, they can transform not only their own lives but also their communities and the broader socio-economic landscape. Our approach focuses on providing tailored leadership training programs specifically designed for women. These programs equip them with the essential knowledge, skills, and tools needed to excel in leadership roles across all sectors. Whether in business, politics, or social enterprise, we prepare women to lead with confidence, competence, and a deep understanding of their unique leadership potential. By fostering an environment that nurtures female leadership, we aim to bridge the gender gap and ensure women are empowered to take their rightful place at decision-making tables, driving progress and shaping the future of Africa.