Warri Queen Consort Calls for Greater Recognition of Women Leaders Across Africa

• The Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, made a strong case for gender parity in leadership
• Every aspect of society is included in her call, from boardrooms and state houses to homes and marketplaces

Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, has called on African nations to be proactive in seeking out and advancing women's leadership throughout society—beginning with homes and markets, and extending into government and boardrooms.

Speaking at the First Ladies of Africa Impact and Resilience (FLAIR) Summit in London, in the keynote address, the Queen emphasized that women's full empowerment and integration into African development would not be complete despite their already playing crucial roles in families, communities, and economies.

During her keynote address, "Elevating the Role of Women in Africa's Development," she relived a very personal experience—being demoted after her father passed away as the firstborn. "They told me, 'There's a difference between a firstborn and a first son," she related. This experience, she said, rekindled her pursuit to shatter rigid norms and advance gender equality. "Not even privilege, age, or achievements can insulate women from social constraints," she added.

The Queen recognized exceptional achievement in African leadership, congratulating Namibia President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, noting, "For the first time, Africa has two sitting female heads of state. It shows change is possible."

She stressed that African women have always led—in large measure without titles and public acclaim—as entrepreneurs, caregivers, teachers, and community builders. "Yet still they ask whether women can lead. That's an old question," she stated. The Olori believes that there is a need to unleash this massively untapped leadership for the development of Africa.

Through her mentorship initiative, 'Establish Her’; she inspires women to realize their leadership potential. "We don't create leaders—we help them see they already are." She referenced economic studies that show closing the gender leadership gap by 2043 would remove 53 million Africans from poverty and increase GDP per capita by 5 percent. To make this happen, she outlined a three-part strategy: mentorship, reform, and empowerment. This is not women's work alone," she said.

"Progress comes more quickly when fathers, husbands, traditional leaders, policymakers, and allies work together." The summit was guided by the leaders in the public and private sectors, the African Union, and global bodies. The panel sessions addressed policies to enhance women's political and business engagement—gender-sensitive budgeting, land reform and inheritance, and credit access of women entrepreneurs.

Closing her address, she declared: "Let us build an Africa where no woman is denied leadership by outdated attitudes. Let us unlock the power already in our homes, farms, laboratories, and enterprises—because our future depends on it."

The summit concluded in a special appreciation of Olori at the London Stock Exchange, for her efforts in women's development. The appreciation was presented by Jennifer Thomas, the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at London Stock Exchange Group.