The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been honoured with the GAIA Africa 2025 Global Champion Award in recognition of her enduring leadership, significant contributions to global economic progress, and her role as a trailblazer for women across Africa and the world.
The award was presented in her absence during the GAIA Africa Grand Pinning Ceremony and Award Night, held on Sunday at GAIA House on Agoro Odiyan Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event featured a cocktail session, the presentation of awards, and the induction of new members into the organisation, including Mrs Omowunmi Tunde-Obe, the Executive Director for Business Development and Innovation at Punch Nigeria Limited, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to fostering connections among accomplished women leaders across sectors.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GAIA Africa, Mrs Olatowun Candide-Johnson, in presenting the award, said the honour recognised Okonjo-Iweala’s exceptional leadership and trailblazing contributions.
“In recognition of her enduring leadership, her contribution to global economic progress, and the trailblazing example for women across Africa and indeed the world, today, we honour not only her remarkable achievement but the courage, integrity and vision that continue to inspire generations,” she said. Candide-Johnson, in her welcome address, explained that GAIA Africa was founded in April 2018 to create a network of accomplished women shaping business, policy, and leadership across Africa.
“Since its founding in 2018, the club has been built with a very clear intention to bring together accomplished women who are shaping business, policy and leadership. Across Africa and beyond, there are remarkable women building companies, shaping industries, influencing policy and contributing significantly to the economic life of our continent and beyond. Many of these women often operate without access to trusted networks where meaningful business relationships can develop. GAIA Africa was created to address this gap,” she said, noting that the organisation’s purpose was to provide platforms for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing among women leaders.
Delivering her acceptance speech via a pre-recorded video, Okonjo-Iweala expressed appreciation for the recognition and commended GAIA Africa’s efforts in advancing women’s leadership across Africa.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the GAIA Africa 2025 Global Champion Award. I want to congratulate GAIA Africa and express my gratitude for what you do to advance women’s leadership across different spheres of Africa and Nigeria. Your network-building mission is essential. When women thrive, economies flourish, families and communities prosper, and society becomes more resilient. Yet women continue to face disproportionate barriers with respect to finance, trade and networks. That is why GAIA Africa’s role is so important,” she said, emphasising that women’s economic empowerment remains a global imperative for sustainable development.
The keynote speaker, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, addressed the audience on the theme “Unbowed,” highlighting the importance of resilience in leadership and business.
She noted, “I celebrate you all because you are strong women who have overcome adversity. There is a paradox in the theme ‘Unbowed.’ The very forces that try to bend us often build us. In business, you will face financial uncertainty, market shifts, leadership transitions, failed projects, rejection and criticism. Failure is universal, but it sharpens your strategic thinking and strengthens you.”
She further stressed the value of collective resilience among women, adding, “What makes this powerful today is not just individual resilience but our collective resilience. When one woman stands tall, she gives others the courage to do the same.”
A major highlight of the ceremony was the induction of new members into GAIA Africa, including Mrs Tunde-Obe, who was inducted in absentia. Speaking about the event, the Chairman of the Board of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mrs Angela Emuwa, a pioneer member of GAIA Africa, described the ceremony as inspiring and encouraged women to recognise their potential.
“It is exciting to be part of this event, especially as a pioneer member. GAIA Africa has been of tremendous impact personally,” she said. Reflecting on the significance of International Women’s Day, Emuwa urged women to believe in themselves, stating, “Believe in yourself. You can be anything you want to be.”
Newly inducted members also expressed excitement about joining the network. Ejemen Okojie, Director of Human Resources at IHS Towers, said she was proud to join a community of accomplished women and highlighted the importance of collective participation: “I am excited to join a community of courageous and bold women who are high achievers. I am also happy that about nine directors from our company joined on the same day. It is a proud moment, and we look forward to contributing to the objectives of GAIA.”
Similarly, Dr Omolola Salako, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, described her induction into GAIA Africa as a rewarding decision. “I have been on the fence for a few years with GAIA, and I am excited that I finally made the move in 2026. I wish I had joined earlier. It is a safe space for successful women beyond work, offering lifestyle improvement, business connections and learning from women across sectors,” she said.
The GAIA Africa 2025 Grand Pinning Ceremony and Award Night thus not only celebrated the exceptional achievements of Dr Okonjo-Iweala but also reinforced the organisation’s mission to empower and connect women leaders across Africa.