GAIA AFRICA marked International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026, with an elegant gathering at GAIA House located in Victoria Island, Lagos. This significant event brought together a distinguished group of accomplished women leaders from various fields, including business, policy, and enterprise, all of whom are actively shaping the future of the African continent.

A major highlight of the evening was the prestigious presentation of the 2025 Global Champion Award to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the esteemed Director General of the World Trade Organization. This award served to recognise her exceptional leadership, her profound impact on global economic progress, and her unwavering, longstanding commitment to advancing the cause of women worldwide.

Central to the celebratory event was the formal induction of new members into the exclusive GAIA AFRICA community. The traditional pinning ceremony symbolised and underscored the organisation’s deep commitment to cultivating a trusted, values-driven network of influential women leaders, all dedicated to fostering collaboration and achieving shared growth. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Olatowun Candide-Johnson, alongside General Manager, Mena Imasekha, and several founding members of the club, personally welcomed each new inductee with the distinctive GAIA Pin. This pin is symbolic of the spirit of excellence, collaboration, and community that defines the organisation, as well as embodying GAIA’s core values of Mutual Trust, Integrity, and Authenticity.

The strong presence of founding members, including Angela Emuwa (Chairman of Punch Nigeria), Fola Ambrose-Medebem (Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Industry), Tokunbo Lawal (Managing Director of UPDC Facility Management Limited), Bimbo Onakomaiya (CEO of Peakthrust Insurance Brokers Limited), Bola Adesola (Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria), Toyosi Olatunji (Group Chief Project Officer at Leadway Holdings), and Toyin Adeniji (Board Member at CREDICORP), alongside other GAIA members, clearly reflected the inherent strength and widespread influence of the robust network that GAIA AFRICA continues to cultivate.

The evening’s insightful keynote address was delivered by Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, who holds the distinction of being the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos. She spoke compellingly on critical themes such as leadership, resilience, and the significant responsibility women bear in effectively shaping institutions and societies. Her remarks resonated strongly with the diverse audience, which comprised leading executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

The New Members’ Evening unequivocally reaffirmed GAIA AFRICA’s position as a dynamic and pivotal community dedicated to championing purposeful leadership. Since its founding, the organisation has consistently remained committed to actively supporting women who are at the forefront of driving transformation across various sectors and contributing meaningfully to Africa’s economic and social advancement.

About GAIA AFRICA: GAIA AFRICA operates as a private members’ business and social club exclusively for Africa’s most influential women leaders – visionaries who are at the helm of enterprise, influence, and impact. Based strategically in Lagos, Nigeria, GAIA AFRICA provides a secure and supportive space for women decision-makers across diverse industries to connect, collaborate, build, and advance their professional and personal growth. Through carefully curated meaningful experiences, comprehensive leadership development programs, access to valuable business and investment opportunities, and culturally resonant programming, GAIA AFRICA meticulously creates an environment purpose-built to elevate women and amplify their influence not only across the continent but also globally.

To learn more about GAIA AFRICA, please visit: www.gaiaafricaclub.com. For media inquiries, please contact: GAIA BRANDCOMMS at [email protected]. BellaNaija is proudly a Media Partner for GAIA AFRICA.