Unilever Nigeria, the country’s oldest manufacturing company, celebrated International Women’s Day 2026 with an inspiring event themed ‘In Her Element’, held at its head office in Ikeja, Lagos.
Designed to bridge the gap between professional excellence and personal well-being, the event reflected the company’s belief that the “whole person” comes to work at Unilever. The celebration moved beyond the traditional observance of the day, creating a supportive space where women within the organisation could feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Through a mix of wellness activities, self-expression, and thoughtful dialogue, the gathering encouraged participants to reconnect with their ambitions while celebrating the collective strength of women across the company.
The day featured a range of activities focused on holistic support. Every woman received a professional makeup session followed by a headshot session with a renowned photographer, encouraging participants to embrace their individuality and confidence.
To promote relaxation and self-care, the event also offered massage sessions, henna artistry, and facial screenings. Team bonding activities including a candle-making session symbolised creativity, collaboration, and light, reinforcing a spirit of unity and reassurance among participants.
A key highlight of the celebration was a fireside chat featuring accomplished speakers including Adenike Ogunlesi, Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, and Jade Osiberu, who shared personal experiences on resilience, leadership, and vision.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, Tobi Adeniyi, highlighted that the organisation’s continued focus on empowering women.
“Through IWD and Shakti (a Unilever initiative empowering underserved women in rural areas by enabling them to earn through selling), the company is reinforcing its commitment to women’s growth, leadership, and inclusion,” he said.
He further noted that:
“Intentional investment in women strengthens organisational performance, and the impact extends far beyond the workplace, strengthening families, communities, and the wider economy.”
Reflecting on her journey, Non-Executive Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc and founder of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Adenike Ogunlesi, encouraged women to invest intentionally in their personal and professional growth.
She shared insights on building a lasting legacy through consistency, noting that:
“The systems women build around their ambitions often determine the strength and sustainability of their achievements.”
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Award-winning filmmaker Jade Osiberu also reflected on her fifteen-year journey in the creative industry, highlighting the importance of perseverance.
“The ability to remain focused and committed to one’s craft, even when recognition is slow to come, often defines longevity in highly competitive fields,” she said.
Concluding the discussion, Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, founder of Herconomy, reinforced the importance of responsibility in advancing women’s financial empowerment.
She urged participants to:
“Honour opportunities created by others and continue the cycle of support by opening doors for more women.”
The celebration reinforced Unilever Nigeria’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where women can thrive professionally while nurturing personal well-being.
