Abosede George-Ogan is enabling more African women in leadership and politics. As the founder of the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), Ogan has created a platform that nurtures the next generation of female leaders.
Her work has consistently focused on breaking down barriers for women in leadership and politics. Over the past two decades, she has built a career that spans multiple sectors, working to bring lasting change to Nigeria and West Africa. Her passion lies in empowering women, especially in areas of historical underrepresentation, and providing them with the tools they need to lead.
She is also the co-founder of ElectHER, an initiative to address the gender imbalance in Nigerian politics. Through ElectHER, she provides women with the support needed to run for public office, focusing on building skills, boosting confidence, and ensuring access to the resources necessary for political participation.
Ogan’s career journey is rooted in her commitment to development. It all started at ActionAid International Nigeria, where she worked on projects to improve lives through community-focused initiatives. ActionAid is an international non-profit organization that fights poverty and injustice worldwide.
She would later hone her skills through corporate social responsibility and sustainability roles at companies like Keystone Bank, FirstBank, and Samsung Electronics West Africa. In these positions, she led projects that addressed issues such as health, education, and economic development across numerous Nigerian states and cities in West Africa.
As the founding Director of Strategy, Funding, and Stakeholder Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Ogan was pivotal in creating job opportunities in Lagos, Africa’s largest city. By collaborating with various stakeholders, she contributed to formulating policies that stimulated economic growth and improved livelihoods. Her contributions have gained significant recognition.
In 2020, she was named Woman of the Year by Her Network for her impactful work promoting women’s political participation. Leading Ladies Africa named her among Nigeria’s 100 Most Inspirational Women the previous year. She has also been honoured as an associate of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative and a Vital Voices VV Engage fellow.
Currently, Ogan chairs the Gender Sub-Committee of the Crosscutting Technical Working Group for Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan. This leadership role highlights her ongoing commitment to advancing gender equity at the highest policy levels.
Through her efforts, Abosede George-Ogan continues to make a significant impact, helping women access the opportunities they need to lead and shape their communities. Her work creates a future where women are not only participants in society but active contributors to its growth and progress.
