“Being Curious about Women in Tech and Sustainable Leadership” – Dr. Ogbonna-Nwaogu

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Although the 2025 edition of the MMS Hall of Fame Induction and International Women’s Leadership Summit in Abuja has come and gone, it has however left an a reverberating echo with the presentation of an audacious academics, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ogbonna-Nwaogu, whose submissions literally challenged the gender question, the way no one else, probably had ever pushed.

A lecturer with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Abuja Campus, Dr. Ogbonna-Nwaogu set the tone for the summit as she delivered a thought-provoking keynote on “Fostering Sustainability, Women and Leadership with Technologies” with the sub-theme “Being Curious about Women in the Tech Industry and Sustainable Leadership.”

Her address emphasized key essential elements that appeals to proponents of gender balance, and includes:

-Women’s full participation in tech despite systemic barriers.

-Future sustainability of leadership requires balancing innovation with ethics and environmental consciousness.

-Curiosity as the root of innovation—fueling research, invention, and policy.

-Inclusive pathways for girls and women to thrive in tech.

-Corporate culture redesign to eliminate exclusion.

-Technology as a gateway to governance, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

-Closing the gender technology gap as imperative for long-term development.

The unapologetic advocate of gender re-engineering reinforced that empowering women with technology is no longer optional but essential for inclusive progress and sustainable leadership.

Her submission re-echoed strongly during the panel discussions that followed. With the theme “Sustainability As a Leadership Agenda”, the panel sessions were engaging, solution-oriented, and forward-looking; with discussions centered on sustainability as a leadership imperative.

Key sub-themes discussed includes the following:

Integrating technology into informal education to empower Northern girls and women.

Women and Power Dynamics—leveraging digital advocacy and online communities to influence governance.

Bridging regional disparities through mentorship, training, and culturally sensitive approaches, and-

Sustainability as a leadership agenda, emphasizing responsible resource use and social inclusion.

Panelists collectively underscored technology as a tool for unlocking women’s leadership potential and disrupting entrenched barriers.

As is tradition, the MMS Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony was the summit’s crowning moment, the celebration of distinguished women whose contributions have advanced leadership, innovation, sustainability, and community transformation.

Honorees were recognized for Leadership Excellence, Technological Innovation and Impact, Sustainability Advocacy, and Social Change and Community Engagement.

The 2025 inductees includes Ambassador Nana Aisha Mahmoud, Dr. Stella Iwuagwu, Dr. Ngozi R.C. Azodoh, Adedolapo Helen Mejolagbe, Mrs. Faustina Ngozi Egbunike, and Hajiya Nasare Nasir Idris. Others are Hajiya Sa’adatu Hussaini Agade, Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed, Barrister Hannatu Hanney Musa Musawa, Prof. Elizabeth Aundu Ugo, Faithhope Aloysius, Ciroma Maryam Inna, Amazon Rosevivian Chigekwu Emeka, and Ambassador Jane Ogo Egbo.

These women exemplify resilience, influence, and purpose-driven leadership, serving as powerful inspirations for emerging female leaders nationwide.