The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) has hosted the 2026 edition of the Young Women Leadership Conference (YWLC) in Abuja, with stakeholders calling for greater female participation in governance, leadership, and technology across Nigeria.
The conference, themed “Innovate, Influence, Impact: Accelerating Young Women’s Roles in National Development,” attracted more than 3,000 participants physically and virtually, including tertiary institution students, corps members, policymakers, and young professionals.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Rinsola Abiola, described the gathering as “a deliberate, determined investment in the future of this nation and its youth.”
She said the conference reflected the Centre’s commitment to empowering young Nigerian women and promoting inclusive leadership opportunities.
According to her, more than 1,500 young women have benefited from the initiative since its launch in 2024, while selected participants from the 2025 edition also received business development training and grants to expand their enterprises.
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Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, urged young women not to allow gender limitations to define their ambitions.
“So never be limited by your gender, never think you’re less because you’re a girl. What you should lean on is the fact that you’re competent and you’re able to rise up to any challenge that is put before you,” she said.
Usman described women’s leadership as a national development necessity rather than a social consideration.
She stressed that innovation must move beyond survival and adaptation to creating sustainable systems and opportunities for women across sectors, including technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, and public policy.
According to her, women must intentionally support one another and create opportunities for future leaders.
“Someone opened the door for you, you must ensure you open the door for another one, you must show up,” she said.
The presidential aide also encouraged women to reject unhealthy competition and build stronger networks for mentorship and collaboration.
On leadership and participation in governance, Usman said young women must actively engage in policy and decision-making processes.
“Young women cannot afford to be absent from this process,” she said, noting that national policies are shaped by those present at decision-making tables.
She further called for stronger institutional support for women through gender-responsive policies, enterprise funding, mentorship, education, and leadership development opportunities.
