16/02/2026
PRESS RELEASE
WIMBIZ, NBA Signs MoU, Seeks Further Partnership on Women Empowerment in the Legal Sector.
As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing women’s leadership across business, management, and public service, Women In Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch (NBA Lagos). The partnership is aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and expanding opportunities for women across the diverse leadership pathways within the legal profession.
This strategic collaboration builds on the momentum of the recently concluded Women in Law Mentorship Program, hosted by WIMBIZ in partnership with the Gates Foundation, which recorded participation from over 3,000 women in the legal sector. The program was designed to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within the legal profession and culminated in the development of a practical journal to guide women lawyers on pathways to leadership. Putting into cognisance that out of the 129 NBA Branches, only five (5) are led by women.
The Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, described the partnership as a powerful demonstration of both organisations’ shared commitment to advancing gender parity across sectors. She noted that the mentorship program is specifically tailored to the realities of legal practice and is designed to build capacity, expand professional networks, and accelerate the career progression of women lawyers.
Akingbohungbe further emphasised the critical role of collaboration in driving sustainable impact, stating that the partnership would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of women’s leadership within the legal sector.
The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch, Uchenna Akingbade confirmed that NBA Lagos Branch initiated the strategic partnership with WIMBIZ to jointly deliver a structured 5 month Women in Law Mentorship Program. The program will leverage WIMBIZ’s established mentorship framework alongside NBA Lagos’ extensive network of women lawyers to deliver targeted leadership development support.
Akingbade noted that earlier, the Mentorship Committee of NBA Lagos had identified a critical gap in structured, long-term support for women in legal practice. Given
WIMBIZ’s proven track record in delivering impactful mentorship and leadership development programs for women across sectors, the partnership was conceived as a strategic response to addressing this gap.
About WIMBIZ:
WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business, and Public Service) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting women in leadership roles. WIMBIZ is of African roots with a global perspective of connecting and inspiring women across the globe to catalyse their growth to leadership positions and contribution to nation-building. With a history spanning 25 years, WIMBIZ has implemented various programs that inspire, empower, and advocate for greater representation of women in both the public and private sectors.
