Abosede George-Ogan is the founder of Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) Global, an organisation dedicated to promoting gender-balanced leadership across political, economic, and public sectors. With over 20 years of tri-sector experience, she has worked with ActionAid International Nigeria, Keystone Bank, FirstBank, Samsung Electronics West Africa, and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).
She holds degrees from Igbinedion University, Reading University, and Harvard Kennedy School, where she received multiple awards—named Woman of the Year in 2020 and one of Nigeria’s 100 Most Inspirational Women in 2019. She is also a 2024 Eisenhower Women’s Leadership Fellow.
Abosede is skilled in program management, policy implementation, development communications, stakeholder management, fundraising, and sustainability. Under her leadership, WILAN Global received the Governor’s Award for Active Citizenship and Community Engagement in 2024.
In this interview, Abosede George-Ogan shares her journey, the vision behind WILAN Global, and insights on women’s leadership. She discusses the evolution of her organization, the latest season of her TV program “The Leading Woman Show,” and her approach to developing women leaders.
WILAN Global is making significant strides in advancing women’s leadership. Tell us a little about your background and what inspired the creation of WILAN Global.
My origin story starts with my parents who modelled diversity being from different tribes and religions. I was raised by two passionate public servants who instilled a strong sense of service in me. In 2017, I created a social media page to support women interested in running for office, but I soon realized the systemic barriers they faced. This led me to start WILAN Global, a nonprofit focused on promoting women’s leadership across all levels of political, economic, and public life.
How has your vision for WILAN Global evolved since founding it?
My vision for WILAN Global has evolved from a simple social media page supporting women in politics to an organisation that is advancing women’s leadership across all levels in Nigeria and hopefully, beyond.
Season 3 of your TV program, The Leading Woman Show recently premiered. What informed the “The Policy Series.” theme, and what key message do you hope viewers will take away from the discussions about policy and its impact on women?
Thank you. The Leading Woman Show is designed to shift public perception of women in leadership, and The Policy Series was created to help viewers better understand the policymaking process and the power of gender-inclusive policies. This season highlights how policies shape opportunities, access, and equity, reinforcing that policy affects everyone and is a crucial tool for driving sustainable growth and development. I hope viewers take away the message that inclusive leadership leads to inclusive policies which benefits our society as a whole.
What are you most excited for viewers to experience this season? Could you give us a sneak peek at some of the guests and the unique perspectives viewers can expect from these conversations?
I am most excited about the mind-shifting potential of these conversations and how they will help viewers understand what policies are and their role in shaping them. This season features a diverse lineup of guests, including Rinsola Abiola, a young woman in politics, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara who currently Chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs, and HE Liyel Imoke, Former Governor of Cross River State, alongside other policy professionals. Viewers can expect insightful discussions on policymaking, its real-world impact, and how policies influence daily life. The goal is to bridge the gap between the public and the policymaking process, showing how everyone has a role to play in shaping policies that drive inclusive change.
How does your background in program management and policy implementation influence your approach to developing women leaders?
My background in development communications and program management has greatly influenced how we design our interventions at WILAN. One of our core values is to be knowledge-driven. We are constantly learning from the people we seek to serve and tracking if our programmes are leading to the desired outcome, inspiring a shift to gender-balanced leadership.
In your 20-year career, what’s the most important lesson about leadership that you’ve learned?
Kindness and curiosity are important. Curiosity to maintain a posture of learning and kindness to lead with empathy.
As a 2024 Eisenhower Women’s Leadership Fellow, what new perspectives are you hoping to bring to women’s leadership advancement in Africa?
As we prepare to launch a Leadership Institute for Women, many of the learnings from the fellowship are being integrated. By providing access to transformational leadership training, we will equip women to lead and thrive across sectors.
What’s one common misconception about women’s leadership that you’re passionate about challenging?
That having women in leadership is doing women a favour. There is sufficient evidence of the collective benefits of having women in positions of leadership and decision-making.
Can you share a moment when you felt most fulfilled in your mission to advance women’s leadership?
All our programs give myself and the team a lot of fulfillment but the National Head Girl Project has a special place in my heart. We believe that if we can inspire leadership in young girls from that age, then we will be setting them up for success and building a pipeline of women leaders equipped to lead and thrive.
The Leading Woman Show has become a powerful platform for amplifying the voices of women leaders in Nigeria. What are some of the most significant changes you’ve observed in the landscape of women’s leadership since the show’s inception, particularly concerning policy and its influence, and what advice would you give to young women aspiring to create systemic change in their communities?
The most significant change I have observed is a mindset shift, viewers now recognize that leadership is not limited by age or background but is a mindset that can be transformed into action. More women are stepping forward, seeing themselves as leaders, and understanding the role of policy in driving systemic change. For young women aspiring to create change, my advice is to spend as much time with the people you seek to serve as you do trying to find a solution to their problems. Also, think deeply and stay curious.
