Nigeria’s future prosperity will depend less on its natural resources and more on its ability to harness the potential of its people, according to Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Dr. Kola Adesina.
Speaking at the 2026 Women in Management and Leadership (WIMLEAD) Conference organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) in Lagos, Adesina emphasized that Nigeria’s greatest asset lies in its youthful population, not in oil or other natural endowments.
“With nearly 70 percent of our population under 30, Nigeria has one of the youngest demographics in the world. Our challenge is not a lack of talent but unequal access to opportunities,” he said, stressing that millions of capable Nigerians remain excluded from quality education, finance, technology, and productive employment.
Adesina noted that economic inclusion is not about lowering standards but about creating systems that allow individuals to thrive regardless of gender, location, or income. He warned that Nigeria’s demographic boom — projected to push the population from 240 million to nearly 440 million in the next 25 years — makes inclusive growth an urgent priority.
“A growing population simply means the stakes are higher. Every decision we make about education, employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership will affect not just millions today but hundreds of millions in the decades ahead,” he added.
The conference, themed “Give Voice, Gain Change: Women Shaping Nigeria’s Economic Future”, also highlighted the economic costs of women’s underrepresentation in policymaking and leadership. Despite women constituting 48 percent of the labour force and owning about 40 percent of MSMEs, they occupy fewer than four percent of seats in the National Assembly.
Christiana Okenla, Director of Customer Success (West Africa) at Equinox, argued that exclusion weakens innovation and productivity, while greater inclusion would strengthen institutions and broaden Nigeria’s talent pool. She proposed a “4As framework” — access, advocacy, accountability, and amplification — to expand women’s participation in policymaking.
Other speakers pointed to digital technology as a critical pathway for expanding opportunities, urging women to embrace digital skills, artificial intelligence, online commerce, and branding to compete globally.
Registrar and Chief Executive of NIM, Dr. Taiwo Olusesi, cited ongoing discussions on the Reserved Seats Bill and growing organizational commitment to gender inclusion as signs of progress. In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, participants were urged to move beyond rhetoric and ensure women have equal access to leadership opportunities.
President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), concluded that while progress has been made, discrimination and underrepresentation remain obstacles, underscoring the need for policies that guarantee a level playing field.
