A leadership coach, Mrs Mayokun Oreofe, has called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase women’s representation in Nigeria’s political space, describing their inclusion as critical to effective leadership and their influence on the 2027 general elections.

Oreofe, who spoke at the 2026 InfluencHER Conference held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, said the current 3.5 per cent representation of women in the political space was inadequate, stressing that women deserved greater opportunities to contribute to governance and national development.

Speaking in perspective, she maintained that women’s participation in leadership should not be viewed as a competition with men but as an opportunity to bridge the existing representation gap.

She said the shortage of women in leadership positions had contributed to some of the challenges confronting the country, adding that women brought strength, influence and a different dimension to decision-making.

According to her, women must recognise their capacity to influence their communities and become more involved in determining the country’s political future.

Oreofe identified two categories of women through biblical examples of Deborah and Jael, explaining that while some women take visible leadership positions, others exercise influence quietly within their homes and communities.

She noted that even women who considered themselves ordinary, including housewives and market women, possessed considerable influence and could shape political decisions through their relationships and networks.

“All of us must be involved. We must influence our communities and discover our constituencies. For me, women are my constituency. Everything I do, I think about women first because that is where I believe I have been called to serve,” she said.

She urged Nigerians, particularly women, to recognise that everyone had a role to play in the forthcoming elections, emphasising that citizens must take responsibility for deciding who leads them.

Oreofe described InfluencHER as a mandate she believed she received from God to empower women to recognise their potential and use their influence positively.

She explained that leadership was not restricted to individuals holding political offices or occupying prominent positions, noting that influence began with everyday interactions, including relationships with children, employees and customers.

“If a woman is not rightly influenced, she can be wrongly influenced. The conference is about influencing women so that they can, in turn, influence their world,” she said.

On the importance of perspective in leadership, Oreofe said people’s attitudes and perceptions determined how they approached responsibilities and influenced others.

Also speaking, Prince Arthur Uche, founder of Beyond Clothing Nigeria, a lawyer-turned-fashion entrepreneur, encouraged women to develop side businesses and pursue opportunities beyond their primary professions.

He shared his journey from the legal profession into fashion, explaining that his entrepreneurial venture had brought him international recognition and positioned his company to build what he described as one of Nigeria’s biggest multi-storey garment factories.

Recounting his experience as a law student activist in 1998, Uche said he encountered difficulties following his involvement in student activism and opposition to certain decisions taken by his institution.

He urged participants not to allow setbacks and rejection to discourage them, noting that difficult experiences could sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities.

“Rejection might be God’s direction,” he said.

Another speaker, Dr Kehinde Nwani, who addressed participants on discovering their leadership perspective, stressed the importance of personal development and leadership training.

Nwani, who founded Meadow Hall, said there was a need to develop leaders rather than focus exclusively on building entrepreneurs.

She encouraged participants to undergo relevant training before taking responsibility for developing others, adding that leadership required accountability and commitment to organisational growth.

She recalled starting Meadow Hall with 24 people and explained that the organisation had since expanded into a broader group of educational institutions and businesses.

According to her, self-rejection remains one of the major obstacles preventing individuals from achieving their potential.

She also highlighted key areas of leadership development, including skills, relationships, succession planning and staff management.

In his contribution, the founder of GEMSTONE Group, Mr Fela Durotoye, described influence as the true measure of leadership, urging participants to begin their leadership journey by transforming themselves.

He said individuals must first demonstrate the values they expect others to embrace, stressing that personal development was essential to influencing society positively.

Durotoye encouraged participants to recognise their responsibility to contribute to their communities, noting that people were empowered not merely for personal advancement but also to empower others.

He urged them to take responsibility for opportunities within their reach, emphasising that unfinished tasks would remain undone unless individuals committed themselves to taking action.

The conference brought together speakers and participants to examine leadership, entrepreneurship, personal development and the role of women in influencing their communities and shaping the nation’s future.