Unilever Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Women's Growth

• Unilever Nigeria reiterates its commitment to women’s growth, leadership, and inclusion
• The occasion was held under the theme "In Her Element" at the Head Office of Unilever located in Ikeja, Lagos

Unilever Nigeria has once again demonstrated its dedication towards promoting women's advancement, leadership and inclusiveness.

Tobi Adeniyi, Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria made the statement while marking their IWD 2026 (International Women's Day) celebration in Lagos on March 8, 2026 with this year's theme being `In Her Element` - which was developed to show how through opportunities available to women both personally and professionally, they may ultimately begin to understand who they are as individuals and thus the importance of being fully themselves.

The IWD celebration was not just another IWD celebration but rather an all-inclusive event intended to create an environment in which Unilever Nigerian employees (male & female alike) feel valued and respected as people (i.e., seen and heard) and thus feel like they have had an uplifting experience themselves.

Activities provided included those which helped to create a more positive experience for women as well as those which helped to re-establish a connection between them personally to re-continue discovering their own unique strengths by celebrating all of the women who work at Unilever with respect to their IWD Celebration.

In addition, participants were treated to a professional makeup session and a headshot photo shoot by a celebrated photographer. This was intended to help them celebrate their individuality and confidence. The event was also marked by massage sessions, henna artistry, and facial screenings.

Tobi stated that the company is reaffirming its dedication to the development, leadership, and inclusion of women through the celebration of IWD and the Shakti program by Unilever. This program seeks to empower women in rural communities to earn money by selling.

He further stated that women development is essential for organizational effectiveness; thus, it has a multiplier effect on families and the economy.

Adenike Ogunlesi, a Non-Executive Director at Unilever Nigeria Plc and the Founder & Chief Responsibility Officer at Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, provided insights on the importance of women investing in their growth.

She encouraged women to build sustainable legacies by being consistent. She further stated that the systems women build around their ambitions often determine the sustainability of their achievements.