Inclusion and National
Security Summit
Advancing Women's Leadership for Inclusive Governance, Peacebuilding & National Security in Nigeria
A NEW ERA
OF WOMEN
LEADERS.
STRONGER TOGETHER.
Welcome to the
Empower Her for
Governance Conference 2026
Dear Esteemed Guests, Partners, Delegates, and Change Leaders,
It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of purpose that we welcome you to the Empower Her for Governance Conference 2026, a transformative national platform dedicated to advancing women's leadership, inclusive governance, institutional reform, and national security.
Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its governance and development journey. As we continue to confront complex political, economic, and security realities, there is an urgent need for stronger institutions, inclusive leadership, and more representative governance systems that reflect the voices, experiences, and capacities of all citizens.
At the heart of sustainable development lies inclusive participation.
Women continue to make invaluable contributions across communities, institutions, and sectors. Yet, representation in governance, policymaking, peacebuilding, and leadership spaces remains significantly limited.
The Empower Her for Governance Conference was created to help bridge this gap.
This conference is more than a gathering. It is a movement, a platform for action, and a national call to strengthen women's leadership as a strategic pathway for better governance, stronger institutions, and sustainable national security outcomes.
As we convene policymakers, legislators, diplomats, governance experts, development partners, private sector leaders, security stakeholders, and emerging women leaders, we do so with one clear vision: To build institutions that work for everyone.
Through dialogue, partnerships, policy engagement, and leadership development, we believe we can collectively shape a more inclusive, secure, accountable, and prosperous Nigeria.
We thank all our speakers, strategic partners, sponsors, delegates, and supporters for believing in this vision.
Together, let us shape the future of inclusive governance.
Mrs. Ebimoboere Alaibe Elezieanya
Founder & Executive Director
Empower Her for Governance Initiative
Director General, I-Teach Africa Initiative
The I-Teach Africa Initiative is a development-focused organization committed to empowering individuals, particularly women and young people, through leadership development, education, governance advocacy, civic engagement, mentorship, and inclusive programmes that drive sustainable national impact.
Founded on the belief that empowered individuals create empowered societies, the Initiative works to bridge gaps in:
We believe that leadership is one of the strongest tools for national transformation, and that sustainable progress can only be achieved when women and young people are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, opportunities, and institutional access required to lead effectively.
Through strategic programmes, partnerships, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives, I-Teach Africa continues to create opportunities that empower citizens to become active contributors to governance, peace, democratic participation, and national development.
To build a society where inclusive leadership, equitable opportunities, and transformational education drive sustainable national development.
To educate, empower, and elevate women and young people through impactful programmes that strengthen leadership, governance participation, civic engagement, and institutional inclusion.
Building a New Generation of Women Leaders for Governance, Peace & National Security
The Empower Her for Governance Programme is a high-impact national movement and leadership pipeline committed to equipping women with the knowledge, confidence, political intelligence, leadership capacity, governance understanding, and strategic networks required for active participation and leadership in governance, policymaking, peacebuilding, diplomacy, and national development.
The programme was established in response to the urgent need for more inclusive governance systems that reflect the voices, experiences, and leadership capacities of women in Nigeria's political and institutional landscape.
Despite women's immense contributions to nation-building, representation in governance and decision-making spaces remains significantly low. Empower Her for Governance seeks to close this gap through:
Through training, advocacy, strategic engagement, leadership exposure, and institutional partnerships, the programme seeks to raise a generation of women leaders prepared to influence governance systems and shape national outcomes.
A Vision for Inclusive Leadership
and National Transformation
"Inclusive leadership is not optional for national progress — it is essential."
Together, let us build institutions that work for all.
Nigeria's progress depends on institutions that are inclusive, accountable, responsive, and representative of the people they serve.
However, for far too long, women have remained underrepresented in governance systems, leadership structures, political participation, peacebuilding, and national security conversations.
The reality is simple:
When women lead, institutions become stronger, policies become more responsive, and communities become more resilient.
The Empower Her for Governance Initiative was born out of a vision to raise a new generation of confident, capable, informed, and visible women leaders who are equipped to actively shape governance, influence public policy, strengthen democratic systems, and contribute meaningfully to national transformation.
This initiative recognizes that governance is not merely about political participation — it is about influence, representation, access, inclusion, and institutional accountability.
We believe that national security is deeply connected to governance outcomes.
Communities become safer when institutions are trusted. Peace becomes sustainable when governance is inclusive. Development becomes possible when women are represented in decision-making spaces.
The Empower Her for Governance Conference 2026 represents the beginning of a bold national movement aimed at strengthening women's participation across governance, policy leadership, peacebuilding, diplomacy, and national development.
We invite you to join us in shaping this future.
Together, we can build stronger institutions that truly work for all.
Mrs. Ebimoboere Alaibe Elezieanya
Founder & Executive Director
Empower Her for Governance Initiative
Director General, I-Teach Africa Initiative
Empower Her for Governance
Conference 2026
"Inclusive Governance and Security: Building Institutions that Work for All"
The Empower Her for Governance Conference 2026 marks the official pioneer launch of a transformative national platform committed to strengthening women's leadership and participation in governance, public service, peacebuilding, security, and institutional reform.
This conference goes beyond dialogue. It is designed as a strategic action platform to convene government leaders, legislators, diplomats, security experts, development partners, private sector leaders, traditional institutions, civil society actors, and emerging women leaders around one common goal:
Building inclusive institutions that work for everyone.
The conference recognizes that: National security is not merely a military outcome — it is a governance outcome. Stronger institutions emerge when leadership is representative, policies are inclusive, and women actively participate in decision-making.
The conference seeks to reposition women not merely as beneficiaries of governance systems, but as:
Advancing Women's Leadership for National Development
Nigeria continues to face multidimensional governance and security challenges requiring coordinated, inclusive, and strategic responses. Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in governance systems, political leadership, security decision-making spaces, peacebuilding mechanisms, and institutional reform processes.
This gap limits the diversity of ideas, lived experiences, and community perspectives required to create effective governance outcomes.
Research consistently demonstrates that Inclusive Governance strengthens institutions, improves policy responsiveness, enhances social trust, improves national resilience, and drives sustainable peace and stability.
Key Policy Questions this conference seeks to answer:
- How can Nigeria increase women's participation in governance and leadership?
- How can women play stronger roles in peacebuilding and national security?
- How can institutions become more inclusive, responsive, and accountable?
- How can partnerships across sectors accelerate inclusive development?
What to Expect
Distinguished Voices Driving
National Conversations
Mrs. Julie Gwangmwa Sanda
Director-General
Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA)
A distinguished scholar, strategic policy expert, and peacebuilding practitioner with over 25 years of experience in governance, security, and conflict prevention.
- Research Fellow — NIPSS
- Acting Provost — Centre for Strategic Research & Studies, National Defence College
- Research Assistant on Intergovernmental Relations, Presidency
National Security and How It Affects Women the Most: Advancing Women's Role in Governance, Inclusion and National Security
Ambassador Lateef Kayode Are
Nigerian Ambassador to the
United States of America
A respected diplomat, statesman, governance expert, and seasoned international affairs strategist with deep experience in diplomacy, security, and international cooperation.
National Security, Governance and Institutional Stability: Strengthening Nigeria's Future Through Inclusive Leadership
This keynote will explore:
- Emerging national security realities
- Governance and institutional resilience
- Citizen trust and security outcomes
- Leadership accountability
- Inclusive governance as a security imperative
The conference will host distinguished leaders across Government, Diplomacy, Security Institutions, National Assembly, Development Partners, Private Sector, Traditional Institutions, and Civil Society.
Special invitations have been extended to:
Programme of Events
Registration & Networking
Opening Ceremony
- National Anthem
- Welcome Remarks
- Opening Prayer
Host Address
Mrs. Ebimoboere Alaibe Elezieanya — Founder & Executive Director, Empower Her for Governance
Keynote Session I
Mrs. Julie G. Sanda
Keynote Session II
Ambassador Lateef Kayode Are
High-Level Panel Discussion
Topic: Women in Governance, Peacebuilding and National Security
Lunch & Strategic Networking
Policy Dialogue Roundtable
Inclusive Governance & Institutional Reform
Launch of Strategic Initiatives
Award of Excellence Ceremony
Closing Remarks & Group Photography
Celebrating Champions of Governance,
Inclusion & National Transformation
The conference will feature a Special Recognition & Award Segment, celebrating outstanding individuals whose leadership and contributions continue to shape governance, women inclusion, peacebuilding, national development, and institutional reform.
Awardees will be recognized for outstanding contributions toward:
Partner With Us to Build
Inclusive Governance & Stronger Institutions
The Empower Her for Governance Conference 2026 presents a unique opportunity for institutions, development partners, diplomatic missions, private sector organizations, government agencies, foundations, and governance-focused stakeholders to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women's leadership, governance inclusion, peacebuilding, and national transformation in Nigeria.
We recognize that achieving sustainable governance outcomes requires multi-sector collaboration.
Demonstrate Commitment to Women's Leadership
Show visible support for advancing women in governance, leadership, and decision-making.
Strengthen Institutional Visibility
Position your institution as a strategic supporter of governance reform, peacebuilding, inclusion, and national development.
Engage High-Level Stakeholders
Connect directly with policymakers, legislators, diplomats, development agencies, security experts, women leaders, corporate leaders, and governance stakeholders.
Influence National Conversations
Contribute to policy dialogue and governance recommendations that shape institutional reforms and leadership systems.
Expand Strategic Networks
Build long-term partnerships across public, private, and development sectors.
Connect directly with:
Our Call for Partnership
We invite organizations and institutions committed to gender inclusion, governance reform, leadership development, national security, and sustainable development to partner with us in delivering this transformative national initiative.
Together, we can shape a stronger future where governance systems are inclusive, representative, responsive, and effective for all.
Driving Sustainable Impact
Beyond the Conference
The Empower Her for Governance Conference 2026 seeks to produce meaningful and measurable outcomes that contribute toward long-term institutional transformation and inclusive governance in Nigeria.
Increased Awareness
Improved national understanding of the relationship between inclusive governance, women leadership, peacebuilding, and national security.
Stronger Women Leadership Pipeline
Enhanced confidence, visibility, and leadership readiness among emerging women leaders and aspiring policymakers.
Actionable Policy Recommendations
Generation of practical recommendations for strengthening women inclusion, governance systems, peacebuilding frameworks, and institutional responsiveness.
Stronger Partnerships
Expanded collaboration among government institutions, civil society, development agencies, private sector organizations, diplomatic missions, and governance stakeholders.
Enhanced Institutional Inclusion
Greater advocacy for policies and systems that promote equitable representation and inclusive decision-making.
Increased Visibility for Women Leaders
Improved recognition and visibility for women actively contributing to governance, security, policy reform, and national development.
Join the
Movement
Together, we can shape a future where women are empowered to lead, institutions are more inclusive, and governance systems truly work for everyone.
Seats are limited. Register today to confirm your place at this historic inclusion and national security summit and join women leaders from across Nigeria.
Point your phone camera at the QR code below
Mrs. Ebimoboere Alaibe Elezieanya
Director General
Empower Her for Governance Initiative
I-Teach Africa Initiative