Amina Oyagbola: Pioneering Change and Empowering Women in Leadership

WHEN WOMEN IN LAW LEAD

Perspectives. Positionalities. Politics

When Women in Law Lead is a blog series using storytelling and legal narratives to showcase how African women in law and leadership are transforming legal institutions and contributing to justice, the rule of law, and women’s empowerment. In a round of engaging questions, we delve deeper into the perspectives, positionalities and politics of women’s leadership in law.

The Institute for African Women in Law’s blog series, When Women in Law Lead, celebrates African women transforming legal and corporate institutions. In this feature, we present Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, founder of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), as she reflects on her inspiring leadership journey, the impact of mentorship, and the challenges of being a woman leader in law.

IAWL: Briefly, please tell us who you are and what inspires you.

AMINA: I am Amina Oyagbola—a lawyer, business advisor, global HR thought leader, and founder of WISCAR. My passion lies in creating impactful change through leadership development, structured mentorship and advocacy for women’s empowerment. My career began in legal practice and in corporate law, but my desire to drive organizational transformation led me to pivot into human resources and governance. There, I used my expertise to influence policy and create inclusive work environments to transform organisations. My personal experiences navigating male-dominated spaces inspired me to develop structures, processes and programmes to address inequities and enable women to overcome hurdles and thrive.

IAWL: How long have you been serving in your position, and what motivated you to run for office?

AMINA: I founded WISCAR in 2008, inspired by my participation in the African Leadership Initiative, West Africa program. Over 16 years, I have served as founder and chairperson, dedicated to addressing the lack of female mentorship and representation in leadership. My motivation stemmed from my own experiences as one of the few women in executive leadership and boardroom roles, which highlighted the urgent need for platforms like WISCAR.

IAWL: How would you rate the success of WISCAR-Nigeria now that you are the founder?

AMINA: WISCAR began as an idea, with meetings held at my dining table. Today, it is a fully-fledged organization with a secretariat, formal board, and flagship programs such as the WIN with WISCAR mentoring programmes. We have grown from mentoring 10 women in our first cohort to over 2,000 mentees from our core programmes and over 15,000 from other programmes in the WISCAR School of Excellence,. Furthermore, our alumni have gone further to launch initiatives like the Grow and Learn Initiative, impacting thousands of young girls in secondary schools. Through strategic partnerships with UN Women and the Gates Foundation, we have expanded our reach and influence, solidifying WISCAR as a leading voice in women’s leadership, mentorship and gender advocacy.

IAWL: What would you classify as your topmost contribution to WISCAR and the country?

AMINA: My most significant contribution is developing the transformative WIN mentoring model—a competency-based framework equipping women with leadership skills to excel in their careers and contribute to nation-building. Our mentoring model and experiences have been chronicled in the WISCAR Mentoring Book that was published last year. Another highlight is fostering a culture of mentorship, where mentees are inspired to pay it forward. Beyond WISCAR, I have contributed to the extraordinary growth of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria in my capacity as a former Executive of MTN Nigeria and impactful CSR projects as the pioneer Director of the MTN Foundation.

IAWL: From your experience, what difference does having a woman at the topmost position in an organization make?

AMINA: Women leaders challenge stereotypes, foster inclusivity, and inspire others to aspire for leadership. They prioritize collaboration, champion gender-friendly policies, and bring unique perspectives to governance. Research shows that organizations with women in leadership often experience improved profitability and governance outcomes. As role models, women in leadership normalize the presence of women in decision-making spaces and expand the talent pipeline for future generations.

IAWL: What are the main contributors to success for a woman leader in the Nigerian legal domain?

AMINA: Success stems from resilience, strategic vision, and strong support networks. Technical competence and credibility are vital, as they command respect and influence. Mentorship, sponsorship, and role models play crucial roles, alongside integrity and values. Women must also navigate societal expectations and leverage supportive family and professional networks to thrive.

IAWL: What are the major challenges for a woman leader in the Nigerian legal domain?

AMINA: Key challenges include systemic biases, limited representation, and work-life balance pressures. Women often face stereotypes that question their competence in litigation or corporate law. The demanding nature of the legal profession, coupled with societal expectations around caregiving, makes balancing personal and professional obligations difficult. 

IAWL: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership positions in law?

AMINA: Work hard, pursue excellence, build your competencies and skills and join strong professional networks. Uphold a value system rooted in ethics and integrity. Seek mentors and sponsors who can open doors and advocate for you. Resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to your principles are essential. As you rise, remember to mentor others, creating a virtuous cycle of support and empowerment.

Conclusion

Mrs. Amina Oyagbola’s leadership journey demonstrates the transformative power of mentorship and resilience. Her work at WISCAR and beyond has paved the way for women leaders to thrive, inspiring future generations to challenge barriers and achieve excellence. Through her story, we are reminded of the importance of empowering women to lead, shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.