The Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), an initiative of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), held its 2026 Annual Summit from October 15–16, 2026, at NECA House, Lagos, bringing together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, policymakers, development partners and members of the NNEW community for two days of learning, connection, celebration and transformation.
With the theme “RISE. LEAD. TRANSFORM.”, the Summit challenged women to move beyond simply surviving in business and to build sustainable enterprises, take up leadership positions, embrace technology, strengthen their networks and create lasting impact.
Opening: Rising Together
The Summit opened with a prayer by Pastor Kemisola Toluwanimi, followed by the National Anthem and a warm welcome from the Summit Planning Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Yetunde Alabi, and NNEW President, Mrs. Bolanle Edwards.
Their welcome messages set the tone for two days of meaningful conversations and connections. The Summit was positioned not simply as another business event, but as a gathering designed to connect generations of women, exchange knowledge, strengthen relationships and explore practical pathways to business growth and leadership.
The event also reflected on the rich history of both NNEW and NECA—NNEW’s journey since its establishment in 2005 and NECA’s decades of service to the Nigerian business community.
Remembering a Leader: A Tribute to Mrs. Adefunke Adeteju Kuyoro
One of the most poignant moments of the opening ceremony was a tribute to the late Mrs. Adefunke Adeteju Kuyoro, former President of NNEW, whose passing in June 2026 left a significant void in the organisation.
The tribute celebrated a woman whose journey through NNEW spanned more than a decade and included several leadership roles, from Membership Secretary and Chairperson of the NNEW Summit Planning Committee to Chairperson of NNEW Lagos and ultimately President.
Through a documentary and personal reflections, the Summit revisited her contribution to women’s entrepreneurship and her commitment to building relationships and creating opportunities for women.
Her work included initiatives such as the Made in Ruby Summit, the SheMeansBusiness Dialogue and programmes focused on digital transformation and women’s empowerment.
The tribute was both a remembrance and a reminder of the responsibility of today’s leaders to continue building on the foundation she helped strengthen.
The Challenge: From Survival to Sustainable Business
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Afia Braimor challenged women entrepreneurs to rethink what it means to succeed in business.
Her message was clear: being busy is not the same as building a sustainable business.
She encouraged entrepreneurs to understand their numbers, pay attention to margins, costs, cash flow and customer acquisition, and identify activities that drain profitability.
She also challenged business owners to move beyond dependence on themselves by developing systems, processes and people that allow the business to operate effectively without the owner being involved in every detail.
Technology, collaboration and continuous learning were highlighted as important tools for business transformation.
The keynote also explored opportunities in international markets, artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships. Participants engaged in a lively Q&A session covering subjects including book publishing, contract manufacturing and practical ways of implementing AI in business.
The central message was a call to move beyond survival and build businesses capable of lasting, scaling and creating value.
Rise. Lead. Transform.
Throughout the Summit, the theme came alive through conversations, performances, interactive sessions and audience participation.
Hosts Hero Itubi and Nonye Onachukwu kept participants engaged through games, music, dance and discussions around what it means to rise, lead and transform.
Participants were encouraged to express what the theme meant to them personally and professionally, while the Summit’s theme song became a memorable part of the experience.
A goodwill message delivered on behalf of the NECA Director-General, Adenike Adebayo-Ajala, reinforced the call for women to take their place in leadership, build sustainable businesses and pursue opportunities that strengthen their enterprises.
Participants were also encouraged to explore the NECA Excellence Award for MSMEs as an opportunity to showcase business excellence.
Women, Policy and Development
The Summit also examined the wider ecosystem required for women-owned businesses to thrive.
A fireside conversation on women’s development emphasised the importance of policies that promote equal opportunities, access to capital, business support, mentorship and strong networks.
The message extended beyond individual success: women must occupy decision-making spaces and actively contribute to shaping the policies and systems that affect their businesses and communities.
The Summit reinforced the idea that women’s economic empowerment requires not only individual resilience but also an enabling ecosystem.
AI, Digital Innovation and the Future of Business
Technology and artificial intelligence featured prominently throughout the Summit.
During a fireside chat on AI, media and digital innovation, speakers including Dr. Lanre Johnson (CEO Jordan FM) and Mr. Evans Edebor (MD/CEO PABL Solutions LTD) explored how digital tools can help women-owned businesses access wider markets, improve efficiency and compete in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The conversation examined the opportunities created by e-commerce and digital platforms while also acknowledging challenges around infrastructure, connectivity, policy, data and trust.
Participants were encouraged to move beyond simply knowing about AI to developing practical AI literacy and applying digital tools to real business problems.
The discussion distinguished between digitisation and true digital transformation, emphasising that technology should ultimately serve a clear business purpose.
Building Sustainable Enterprises
Another major conversation focused on the transition from survival businesses to scalable and sustainable enterprises.
Three areas emerged as particularly important:
Systems and Processes:
Businesses need clear structures and standard operating procedures that allow work to continue even when the owner is not present.
People Development:
Entrepreneurs must build capable teams, hire strategically and develop people who can take responsibility and grow with the organisation.
Financial Discipline:
Business decisions must be informed by facts, profitability and sustainable cash flow rather than emotion or attachment.
Technology was positioned as an enabler rather than an end in itself.
Participants were reminded that scaling requires the entrepreneur to move from doing everything personally to building an organisation that can function, adapt and grow.
Business Structure, Risk and the Courage to Change
Panel conversations explored the realities of managing growing businesses, including fraud prevention, hiring, delegation, systems development and profitability.
One powerful lesson came from an entrepreneur who shared her experience of closing a capital-intensive business that was no longer profitable and redirecting her resources into real estate.
The story reinforced an important principle: entrepreneurs must be willing to make difficult decisions when the facts demand a change in direction.
The Summit encouraged participants to seek mentorship, acquire business knowledge and regularly assess whether their businesses remain viable and aligned with their long-term goals.
Women of Influence: Leadership Beyond the Business
A dedicated conversation explored what it means to become a woman of influence.
The speakers emphasised that influence does not necessarily begin with a large organisation, public platform or title. It can begin with excellence in one’s field, the ability to connect people and the willingness to create value for others.
Women were encouraged to become thought leaders by contributing to conversations within their industries, sharing knowledge and actively shaping the future of their sectors.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of clear objectives within women’s associations. The goal must move beyond awareness and inclusion towards measurable transformation.
Day Two: Stories of Courage, Growth and Sisterhood
The second day of the Summit opened with prayers, the National Anthem and the Women’s Anthem, followed by a welcome address from Mrs. Eniola Mayowa, NNEW Publicity Secretary.
A goodwill message from Mrs. Bunmi Osuntuyi, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN), encouraged women to lead with integrity and innovation while taking advantage of technology.
The second day placed a strong focus on women’s entrepreneurial journeys, leadership, mentorship and the power of the NNEW network.
Keynote: Building a Billion-Dollar Generation of Women-Owned Businesses
Keynote speaker Damilola Olokesusi, CEO and co-founder of Shuttlers, shared her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she encountered while building a technology-driven transportation business.
Her story highlighted the funding gap facing women-led businesses in Nigeria and the importance of mindset, networks, resilience and access to opportunity.
She challenged women to think beyond small-scale survival and work towards building globally competitive companies.
Her message was particularly powerful for younger women: the future requires more women-owned businesses capable of operating at scale and creating significant economic value.
The Power of the NNEW Sisterhood
One of the most engaging sessions featured women from different generations of NNEW sharing their experiences.
The stories demonstrated how membership in the organisation has contributed to confidence, leadership development, business opportunities, mentorship and personal transformation.
Members spoke about the value of relationships and the importance of women supporting one another.
The conversations reinforced a recurring message throughout the Summit:
Women do not have to build alone.
The NNEW network provides a platform where women can learn from those ahead of them, support those coming behind them and create opportunities together.
Remembering Where We Came From
Dr. Obiageli Nwobi took participants through the history of NNEW, tracing its origins to 2005, when the need for a stronger platform for women entrepreneurs became evident within the NECA community.
From its early beginnings, NNEW has grown into a national network with chapters and sectoral representation, providing women with opportunities for training, networking, advocacy, business support and community.
The organisation’s evolution—including its cooperative initiatives and collaborations with government and development partners—demonstrated the impact that sustained collective action can create.
The history session was a reminder that today’s NNEW did not happen overnight. It was built by generations of women who gave their time, knowledge, resources and leadership.
Mental Readiness and Self-Actualisation
Mrs. Monica Zunni-Abu challenged participants to consider an often-overlooked aspect of leadership: the readiness of the individual.
Her session focused on self-actualisation, personal growth and the importance of taking care of one’s wellbeing while pursuing professional ambitions.
She encouraged women to understand who they are, define their values and boundaries, identify their purpose and avoid allowing external expectations to determine the direction of their lives.
The message was simple but powerful: transformation begins within.
Starting Small, Learning Continuously
Mrs. Fausat Sani Yusuf shared her personal journey within NNEW and how the network contributed to her transition from running a school into agribusiness.
Her story emphasised the importance of remaining open to opportunities, taking calculated risks, continuing to learn and being willing to evolve.
She also spoke about the importance of self-compassion, forgiveness and recognising that transformation is a journey.
Her long-standing commitment to NNEW was celebrated during a special recognition ceremony, acknowledging nearly two decades of service and her generosity towards members and entrepreneurs.
Celebrating Women and Their Achievements
The Summit also created space to celebrate womekkfkfkfn whose businesses and contributions continue to make an impact.
A plaque was presented to Damilola Olokesusi in recognition of her achievements in business and her contribution to entrepreneurship.
The Summit also formally recognised NNEW leaders, past presidents, chapter chairs and members representing different generations of the organisation—including the Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond generations.
These moments highlighted the continuity of NNEW’s leadership and the importance of preserving institutional knowledge while creating room for new generations to rise.
Learning Through Play, Creativity and Connection
Beyond formal presentations and panel discussions, the Summit deliberately created opportunities for participants to connect and have fun.
Team-building activities, music, dance competitions, interactive games and a music video challenge brought participants together in a relaxed environment.
A spoken-word performance and other creative presentations added to the energy of the event.
These activities reinforced another important element of the NNEW experience: business relationships are built not only in boardrooms, but also through shared experiences.
A Summit That Looked to the Future
Across two days, one message continued to emerge: women must move from resilience alone to deliberate growth.
To RISE is to recognise one’s potential and step forward.
To LEAD is to take responsibility, build people, influence decisions and create value.
To TRANSFORM is to move beyond old limitations, embrace innovation and build businesses and communities that can thrive into the future.
The Summit challenged participants to apply what they had learned—not simply return to business as usual.
From financial discipline and systems development to AI adoption, mentorship, collaboration, leadership and personal growth, the conversations provided practical ideas for women at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.
More Than a Summit
The NNEW Summit 2026 was ultimately more than a two-day gathering.
It was a celebration of women, legacy, leadership, enterprise and sisterhood.
It honoured those who built the foundation, celebrated those leading today and challenged the next generation to take their place.
As women returned to their businesses, organisations and communities, the challenge remained clear:
Rise. Lead. Transform.
And, most importantly, turn the inspiration of the Summit into action.
