Keynote Speech Delivered By Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, OFR At The 2024 Women Directors’ Conference Of The Chartered Institute Of Directors Nigeria

• Good morning, distinguished ladies, esteemed guests, everyone present here today, and online as well.
• If you would permit me, I will stand on all existing protocol.
• It gives me great pleasure to address you as we explore this topic today.
• It is a mouthful, but it is very key and it resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities of our time: “Leading in a Disruptive Age: Opportunities in Emerging Technologies, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).”
• Today’s discussion challenges us to rethink leadership in a world where change is the only constant thing.
• Embracing conversations like this will ensure that we are not left behind, but we are rather equipped to seize the opportunities ahead.

Understanding the Disruptive Age

• We indeed live in a disruptive age—an age with rapid technological advancements, shifting societal norms, and a heightened awareness of our environmental responsibilities.
• We have never seen a pace of change like this. It is completely unprecedented, and it is reshaping industries, economies, and the very fabric of our society.
• But as challenging as this disruption might seem, we must embrace it, not as a threat, but as a catalyst for innovation and growth.
• We will all agree that in the last few decades, strides have been made concerning women.
• Women are no longer just participants in the technological revolution, but we are pioneers, innovators, and leaders driving change across industries.
• This new era offers us a chance to step into spaces that were previously inaccessible – the glass ceilings.
• We know the challenges; however, we lead with a vision that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
• But what does it really mean when we say we want to lead in a disruptive age?
• It means anticipating changes and preparing for them.
• It means leveraging the tools and technologies at our disposal to not only survive but thrive in a world that is constantly evolving.
• It means being agile and innovative.
• For women, particularly, it also means breaking down the traditional barriers and stepping into leadership roles with confidence and purpose.
• This digital revolution has ushered in a new wave of emerging technologies—from using AI to enhance our decision-making processes and how we analyse data, to employing blockchain for greater transparency in operations, the possibilities are endless.
• These technologies are not just transforming industries, they are reshaping the way we live, the way we work, and the way we interact with the world around us.
• It is critical that we are well positioned to champion their use.

Embracing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI):

• For me as an African-Nigerian woman, I am very aware of the challenges that we face—ranging from gender bias to limited access to opportunities.
• However, I am also aware of the immense strength that lies in our diversity.
• 13 years ago, my husband and I set up the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
• As the Co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), I have seen first-hand the impact of equipping women.
• At the Foundation, we are committed to empowering and uplifting young African entrepreneurs across all African countries – both men and women.
• When we first commenced with the first round of applications, we had very few women. Less than a fraction of one third were women.
• But we understand the importance of women empowerment and inclusion and so, we made sure to go out of our way to get more women to apply and be funded.
• What we do in the Foundation, we identify these young Africans with business ideas, train them, mentor them, and give them a non-refundable $5,000 for their businesses.
• I am glad to say that 10 years later, we have funded over 8,000 women-owned businesses across all 54 African countries.
• That is an impressive 46% of the total number of entrepreneurs we have funded on our continent.
• We have seen that truly when you empower a woman, you empower the nation.

• We believe in the abilities of women to multiply, nurture, and transform their nations.
• In 2021, we partnered with Google and Women Entrepreneurs for Africa (WE4A) to provide funding exclusively for women entrepreneurs because we believe we can do more.
• We know we should indeed do more.
• Interestingly, on average, the female beneficiaries of the Foundation reported making slightly more profit from their business than did male beneficiaries in a typical month in the past year.
• We know that women bring unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table.
• Over the years, we have come to see our softness and perceived weaknesses as strength.
• We are more likely to invest our earnings in our families’ health, education, and well-being, lifting entire communities out of poverty in the process.
• This goes without saying that empowering women has a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual benefits.
• When women thrive, they become role models and change agents in their communities, inspiring others and catalysing positive social change.
• Take, for instance, the success stories of some female entrepreneurs who have been empowered by TEF, the impact they have made, and innovative technology they have employed to drive change:

1.  Olamide Ayeni, a 2016 beneficiary of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is leveraging technology for waste management innovation

• Background: Olamide is a Nigerian entrepreneur and the Founder of Hopcyku (formerly Pear Recycling), a company that transforms waste into valuable products and promotes environmental sustainability.
• Impact: Under Olamide’s leadership, Hopcyku has become a pioneer in innovative waste management, creating high-quality products from textile and rubber waste while promoting climate literacy.
• Her company uses AI and predictive analytics to optimise waste transformation processes and anticipate consumer preferences, significantly improving their operational efficiency and product development.
• ابتكار: By way of innovation, she has demonstrated how technology can be leveraged to revolutionise waste management, ensuring it is both profitable and environmentally sustainable.
• They also leverage open-source software to keep costs down while improving efficiency.

2. Nana Amoako-Anin – Leveraging Technology to Transform Yoga in Ghana

• Background: Nana Amoako-Anin, a 2016 beneficiary of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is the Founder of Bliss Yoga Accra and, one of the few full-service yoga studios in West Africa.
• After moving back to Ghana from New York City, she established her business to make yoga more accessible and popular in Ghana.
• Impact: Bliss Yoga Accra has been instrumental in popularising yoga in Ghana, offering group and private classes, yoga teacher certifications, and stress relief programs.
• As one of the few African, woman-owned established studios, it’s changing the narrative on the accessibility and face of yoga in the region.
• ابتكار: Nana is leveraging technology in several keyways to drive her business success: She employs a custom app and database to track client preferences and class popularity, enabling data-driven decision-making that keeps the studio responsive to customer needs. 
• When faced with pandemic restrictions, Nana quickly pivoted to offer yoga teacher training entirely online, opening new opportunities for scaling operations, attracting a diverse, global clientele.

These examples are a testament to what is possible when we embrace technology and use it as a tool for empowerment and leadership.

• However, for these technologies to be truly transformative, we must ensure that its adoption is inclusive, and that it offers equal opportunities for women to participate, innovate, and lead in this digital era.

• In my capacity as Chairperson of Avon Healthcare and Avon Medical Practice, I have witnessed the transformative power of these technologies in the healthcare sector.

• At Avon HMO, we are at the forefront of utilising advanced data analytics and digital solutions to revolutionise healthcare delivery.

• By harnessing the capabilities of big data and machine learning, we can gain deeper insights into patient needs, accurately predict health trends, and personalise healthcare plans more efficiently and effectively.

• By monitoring these metrics, we can pinpoint areas for improvement, implement best practices, and ultimately improve service quality.

• It is also worth noting that this dynamic transformation is being spearheaded by a team led by female leadership, under the able leadership of the CEO, Adesimbo Ukiri and her team.

• This, again, underscores the significant contributions that women bring to the table.

• All of these cannot be overstated.

• While we focus on empowering women, it is equally important to acknowledge the role men play in this journey.

• Men must be allies in the pursuit of inclusion and women empowerment, understanding that true equity benefits everyone.

• You see, in the medical line, nursing was long perceived as a female-dominated profession, and this idea was deeply rooted in the traditional view of women as the caregivers.

• However, this bias began to shift due to several factors.

• Societal attitudes towards gender roles began to evolve, recognising that caregiving is not inherently feminine but a human trait.

• Over time, male nurses have become more visible and respected, helping to dismantle the stereotype that nursing is a “woman’s job.”

• Today, men are increasingly recognised as integral members of the nursing profession, contributing to diverse perspectives and approaches in patient care.

• It is no longer just a moral imperative; it is a strategic advantage.

• It is about creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their gender, can contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

• Diverse teams are more innovative, more resilient, and better equipped to navigate complex challenges as we know.

• Studies have shown that companies with higher levels of gender diversity are more likely to outperform their peers.

• But we must be prepared. We must be ready to contribute our own quota.

خاتمة

• In closing, I want to emphasise that this disruptive age presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to lead.
• By leveraging emerging technologies, embracing and driving inclusion, we are one more step close to overcoming the barriers that have historically held women back and seize the leadership opportunities that lie ahead.
• As female directors, we are not just participants in this transformation; we are leaders.
• We have the power to shape the future, to create organisations that reflect our values, and to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
• I would like to charge everyone to remain committed to continuous learning.
• We must always seek to learn and improve.
• I find that keeping up with emerging technologies isn’t just a professional necessity—it’s a personal one, too.
• As a mother of five young girls, I continue to learn from them and grow.
• These girls are extremely digitally savvy and always talking about a new trend, I often find myself learning new things just to keep pace with them!
• This constant learning is not just vital for staying relevant in our careers but also in our daily lives.
• I encourage each of you to embrace this moment, to lead with courage, and to use your influence to drive positive change.
• Together, we can create a world where women are at the forefront of innovation, and inclusive change.

شكرًا لك

Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, OFR
Chairperson, Avon Healthcare Limited
Avon Medical Practice
&
Co-founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation