The First Lady of Lagos State and Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled activities lined up for the 25th edition of the National Women’s Conference (NWC), describing it as a landmark celebration of visionary legacy, women’s empowerment, and transformative leadership.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said this year’s Silver Jubilee edition, themed “25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation,” reflects COWLSO’s sustained commitment to promoting the welfare, leadership, and economic empowerment of women in Lagos and across Nigeria.
She announced that the three-day Conference will hold from Tuesday, 28th to Thursday, 30th October 2025, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, with an expected attendance of 3,000 physical delegates and 2,000 virtual participants from within and outside the country.
The First Lady disclosed that the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, will deliver the Silver Jubilee Address, while the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, will serve as Special Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony.
The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, will grace the Closing Ceremony as Special Guest of Honour, alongside the host Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
“For a quarter of a century, COWLSO has stood tall as a formidable platform committed to the advancement, empowerment, and transformation of women in Lagos and across Nigeria,” the First Lady said.
“This milestone edition challenges us to reflect on our journey, celebrate our legacies, and hand the baton to the next generation of women leaders and change-makers.
”She added that the participation of top dignitaries underscores COWLSO’s growing national influence and its role as a unifying platform for women’s development across the federation.
She revealed that several pre-conference activities are already underway to extend the conference’s impact to the grassroots. These include free health screenings, environmental sanitation exercises, empowerment of vulnerable persons, and visits to orphanages and care homes.
She further announced that the annual COWLSO Pre-Conference Awareness Walk will hold on Saturday, 11th October 2025, in Ikorodu, with the theme “Step Up, Show Up, Never Give Up.”
The walk aims to sensitise residents about the forthcoming conference and inspire resilience among women.
Highlighting some of the key sessions, the First Lady listed topics such as:“Practical Apps for Easier Daily Living, Business Support, and Improved Productivity,”“Women Championing Traffic Discipline through Inclusive and Smarter Transportation Systems,”“Nurturing a Healthy Marriage through Self-Care and Wellness,” chaired by Professor Olatunji Bello, with contributions from Bishop Funke Felix-Adejumo and Mrs. Abimbola Akinwunmi, and“Women as Change-Makers: Combating Trafficking, Organ Harvesting, and Unsafe Practices,” chaired by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, and Mrs. Nkemdilim Okonkwo.
The conference will also feature the COWLSO Physical and Virtual Markets, offering participants opportunities to purchase goods and services at subsidised rates, and a Gala Night showcasing cultural performances, entertainment, and raffle draws.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2025 National Women’s Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Olayemi Oke-Osanyitolu, described the Silver Jubilee edition as a historic milestone celebrating women’s empowerment, leadership, and service.
She lauded Dr. Sanwo-Olu’s exemplary leadership, noting that this year’s conference “promises to be intellectually stimulating, entertaining, and impactful, with thought-provoking sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, marriage, career development, and personal growth.”
The press briefing was attended by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, executives, and members of COWLSO.
