NCWS NIGERIA CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN LEADERS CONFERENCE IN LONDON, UK

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the 2nd International Women Leaders Conference/Workshop 2026. Held from March 3rd to 5th at London Stratford, the summit brought together a prestigious assembly of policymakers, academics, and governance experts to address the evolving role of women in global leadership.

Under the leadership of our National President, Princess Edna D.D. Azura(Kwatam Mutaku), the NCWS co-organized this year’s event alongside the University of Manchester and the Foundation for Transparency & Accountability (FTA), with vital support from the Manchester Global Foundation (MGF) and the Centre in Africa for Living & Learning (CALL).

A Vision for Empowered Governance
The conference, themed “Empowered Women, Transparent Leadership: Advancing Accountability and Mental Wellbeing in Governance,” served as a critical follow-up to the inaugural 2025 session. In her welcome address, Princess Edna D.D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), National President, NCWS Nigeria emphasized the council’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that elevate the Nigerian woman’s voice on the world stage.

High-Level Keynotes and Distinguished Panels
The summit featured powerful contributions from prominent Nigerian leaders:

Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti (First Lady of Abia State): Delivered a compelling keynote on “Leveraging Leadership as a Catalyst for Women Empowerment,” urging for intentional, inclusive governance.

Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Gloria D. Diri (First Lady of Bayelsa State): Participated as a distinguished panel guest, contributing to high-level discussions on leadership.

Legislative Insight: Rt. Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos shared expertise on nation-building and the essential role of women in promoting transparency within public service.

Expert Dialogue: Panelists included Hon. Barr. Olivia Dazyam (Chairperson, Plateau State Gender Commission) and Hon. Moriah Priestley, an executive coach and political leader from the UK.

Beyond the Lecture Hall: Parliamentary Visit

A defining moment of the three-day workshop was an official study visit to the British Parliament. Our delegates received firsthand insight into parliamentary procedures, bridging the gap between theoretical leadership and practical democratic governance. Participants described this experience as a unique and memorable dimension of the program.

Strategic Outcomes
The conference concluded with the adoption of a Joint Communique, a roadmap designed to:

• Strengthen advocacy for the mental wellbeing of women in high-pressure leadership roles.
• Deepen collaborations between Nigerian institutions and UK academic giants like Nottingham Trent University and Teesside University.
• Increase women’s inclusion in governance systems through sustained capacity building.

Final Recognition

To honor the dedication of our participants, certificates and awards were presented to delegates who demonstrated exceptional commitment to the conference’s goals. The NCWS remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that Nigerian women are not just participants in leadership, but the very architects of transparent and accountable governance.