WILAN Leadership Institute Launches to Propel Women for Africa’s Transformation

The Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) has unveiled the WILAN Women’s Leadership Institute (WWLI), a new platform designed to strengthen women’s leadership capacity and influence across Africa.

The Institute was officially introduced during a leadership dinner in Lagos that brought together prominent women leaders, founders, creatives, professionals, and members of the institute’s founding faculty. The gathering marked the beginning of the Institute’s mission to nurture a new generation of women leaders equipped to drive transformation across sectors.

Founded by Abosede George-Ogan, the WILAN Leadership Institute builds on more than seven years of impact from WILAN’s work in leadership development, mentorship, media engagement, and advocacy. Over the years, the organization has supported thousands of women across Nigeria and beyond through programmes that promote leadership growth and visibility.

According to George-Ogan, many of today’s institutions and workplaces were not originally designed to support women’s advancement. While some women have successfully navigated these structures, many still lack access to the networks, mentorship, and systems that can accelerate their leadership journeys.

The newly launched institute seeks to bridge that gap.

Rather than positioning itself as a traditional training institution, the WILAN Leadership Institute describes its approach as “leadership formation.” The focus is not only on what women do as leaders but also on who they become — developing the mindset, values, and strategic thinking required to influence systems and shape the future.

The institute’s programmes will focus on three core areas:

• Leadership formation and personal development, helping women strengthen inner capacity and clarity of purpose
• Structured pathways for leadership growth, supporting women at early, mid, and senior career stages
• Access to networks and influence, connecting participants to mentors, opportunities, and strategic partnerships

By combining leadership development with values-driven training and strong professional networks, the institute aims to help women move closer to positions of influence across business, governance, and civil society.

As conversations around gender equity and inclusive leadership continue across Africa, the launch of the WILAN Women’s Leadership Institute represents a step toward creating more structured opportunities for women to lead, contribute, and shape the continent’s future.