LAGOS, Nigeria – Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State are among high-profile dignitaries expected at the 2025 National Women’s Conference (NWC), scheduled to hold from Monday, October 28 to Wednesday, October 30, at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual event, organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), is marking its 25th edition this year, with the theme: “25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation.”
Speaking at a pre-event press briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, the First Lady of Lagos State and Chairperson of COWLSO, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the conference as a milestone celebration of COWLSO’s impact over the past quarter-century.
“For 25 years, COWLSO has stood as a formidable platform committed to the advancement, empowerment, and transformation of women in Lagos and across Nigeria,” she said.
Governor Uzodinma will serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony, while Governor Aliyu is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony on the final day.
According to Dr. Sanwo-Olu, the 2025 conference is expected to host over 5,000 participants, including 3,000 physical attendees and 2,000 virtual participants from within and outside Lagos. Attendees will include women professionals, policymakers, entrepreneurs, civil society leaders, and homemakers — all united in the vision of building a stronger and more inclusive society.
Highlighting the significance of this year’s Silver Jubilee edition, she noted that the conference will serve both as a celebration of legacy and a rallying call for future leadership among women.
“The theme challenges us to look back with gratitude, celebrate the legacies we’ve built, and look forward with hope as we pass the torch to the next generation of women leaders, builders, and change-makers,” she added.
In the lead-up to the event, COWLSO has rolled out several pre-conference activities aimed at giving back to the community. These include free health screenings, environmental sanitation exercises, empowerment programmes for vulnerable groups, and visits to orphanages and care homes.
A Pre-Conference Awareness Walk will be held on Saturday, October 11, in Ikorodu under the theme: “Step Up, Show Up, Never Give Up.”
Chairperson of the 2025 Conference Planning Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Olayemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the anniversary edition promises to be “fun-filled, engaging, entertaining, and intellectually stimulating,” with sessions covering topics such as career development, entrepreneurship, relationships, marriage, and leadership.
“In recent years, our conferences have continued to receive outstanding feedback for their impact and organization. This year’s edition will raise the bar even higher,” she stated.
The event will also feature the popular COWLSO Physical and Virtual Markets, where participants can shop for quality goods and services at subsidized rates from verified vendors.
A highlight of the conference will be the Gala Night, scheduled for the second day, featuring live entertainment, cultural performances, and raffle draws.
To ensure inclusivity, the event will be live-streamed across the Lagos State Government’s social media platforms, enabling wider participation from across Nigeria and beyond.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the presence of dignitaries like Governors Uzodinma and Aliyu underscores the growing recognition of COWLSO as a national force for women’s development.
“As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and inspiring the next generation of transformational leaders,” she concluded.
