The 2026 celebration of International Women’s Day in Ekiti State was not merely a ceremonial gathering, but a deeply reflective and policy driven engagement that brought to the fore the urgent need to reposition women as central actors in the development process. Against the backdrop of growing global conversations on gender equity, the event provided a compelling platform for stakeholders to interrogate existing gaps while charting a more inclusive path forward for women across social, economic, and political spheres.
At the centre of this renewed advocacy was the Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Olayemi Oyebanji, whose address resonated as both a call to conscience and a strategic blueprint for sustainable development. With clarity and conviction, she framed women’s empowerment not as an optional social agenda, but as a foundational requirement for any society seeking long term growth, stability, and prosperity.
Speaking before a diverse audience at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Mrs Oyebanji underscored the fundamental truth that development cannot be said to be inclusive where women remain marginalised. Her remarks reflected a growing consensus among development experts that the empowerment of women holds transformative potential capable of reshaping economies and strengthening social systems.
She anchored her message on the 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” a phrase she described as both profound and instructive in its simplicity. According to her, the theme challenges governments, institutions, and individuals to move beyond passive acknowledgement of women’s issues to deliberate and sustained investment in their advancement. It is, she noted, a reminder that the gains of empowering women extend far beyond individual beneficiaries to encompass entire communities and generations.
In expanding this thought, the First Lady drew attention to the multiplier effect of investing in women, explaining that access to education, financial inclusion, and capacity building opportunities naturally translates into improved family welfare, enhanced productivity, and greater social cohesion. She painted a picture of a society where empowered women serve as catalysts for innovation, agents of change, and pillars of community resilience.
Her intervention also situated Ekiti State within the broader national policy environment, as she commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development. She described the declaration as a forward looking initiative that recognises the centrality of families in nation building, while implicitly acknowledging the indispensable role women play within that structure.
Within the state, she highlighted the deliberate and sustained efforts of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in advancing gender responsive governance through targeted investments in human capital development. These efforts, she noted, are evident in programmes that prioritise the education of the girl child, expand economic opportunities for women, and strengthen social protection systems for vulnerable groups.
Beyond policy articulation, Mrs Oyebanji provided insights into practical interventions already underway, particularly through strategic partnerships with development organisations. Programmes such as the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment and the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale Up, she explained, are designed to equip women and girls with the skills, knowledge, and resources required to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
She further emphasised that her office remains committed to bridging the gap between policy and impact, working in close collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure that empowerment initiatives are not only well designed but also effectively implemented and accessible to those who need them most.
Reinforcing this perspective, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye, described the interventions driven by the Office of the First Lady as both strategic and impactful, noting that they have contributed significantly to improving the socio economic conditions of women across the state.
Afuye, however, went beyond commendation to challenge women to take ownership of the opportunities created for them, particularly in the civic space. She urged them to actively engage in the democratic process, emphasising that political participation remains a critical dimension of empowerment.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Olapeju Babafemi, had set the tone by framing the celebration as a dual moment of reflection and action. She acknowledged the resilience and contributions of women, while also drawing attention to the persistent inequalities that continue to hinder their full participation in development.
Babafemi highlighted the state government’s efforts in addressing these challenges through a combination of policy reforms, partnerships, and targeted interventions aimed at enhancing women’s economic independence and social wellbeing. She pointed to ongoing support for survivors of gender based violence, as well as empowerment schemes that provide tools and financial assistance to women across various sectors.
Her remarks also underscored the importance of collective responsibility, as she called on stakeholders across government, civil society, and the private sector to intensify efforts at dismantling systemic barriers that limit women’s potential. According to her, achieving gender equality requires more than policy declarations, it demands sustained commitment and coordinated action.
Providing academic depth to the discourse, a Professor of Sociology at Ekiti State University, Kemi Ogundana, delivered a comprehensive lecture that examined the “Give to Gain” theme from a socio economic perspective. Her presentation offered a nuanced analysis of the structural challenges facing women, while also outlining practical pathways for addressing them.
Ogundana argued that investment in women represents one of the most effective strategies for driving sustainable development, given its far reaching impact on economic growth, health outcomes, and social stability. She explained that when women are empowered, the benefits extend beyond individual households to influence broader societal outcomes, including poverty reduction and increased productivity.
She further identified mentorship, access to resources, and supportive policy frameworks as critical enablers of women’s advancement, noting that these elements must be deliberately integrated into development planning processes. According to her, societies that prioritise women’s inclusion tend to record more balanced and sustainable growth trajectories.
The professor also situated women’s empowerment within the context of global development priorities, linking it directly to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. She maintained that progress in areas such as poverty eradication, health, education, and climate action is intrinsically tied to the extent to which women are included and empowered.
Beyond the speeches and policy discussions, the event itself reflected the cultural richness and social diversity of Ekiti State. The First Lady’s tour of exhibition stands mounted by various local governments and LCDAs provided a visual representation of the economic contributions of women at the grassroots level.
These displays, which featured local produce and indigenous crafts, highlighted the often overlooked role of women in sustaining local economies and preserving cultural heritage, reinforcing the argument for greater investment in their activities.
The celebration also featured a vibrant march past that brought together women from different constituencies in a display of unity and collective purpose. The competitive segment added a lively dimension to the event, with Ado Local Government emerging as the overall winner, followed by Ilejemeje and Ekiti East.
Equally significant was the breadth of participation, as women from various backgrounds, including professionals, traders, artisans, academics, civil society actors, and security personnel, came together to lend their voices to the conversation on empowerment and inclusion.
Goodwill messages from dignitaries, including Dayo Apata, Kemi Olaleye, Senator Biodun Olujimi, and Bolaji Olagbaju, further enriched the discourse, each reinforcing the central message that the advancement of women is not a sectional issue but a collective responsibility.
Ultimately, the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Ekiti State stood out as a compelling demonstration of what can be achieved when leadership, policy, and community engagement converge around a shared vision.
It was a powerful reminder that the journey towards gender equality is ongoing, but with deliberate investment, sustained advocacy, and collective action, the vision of an inclusive and prosperous society remains not only possible but within reach.