Media entrepreneur and CEO of Joy, Inc., Chude Jideonwo, anchored a pivotal panel session at the 2025 Lagos Leadership Summit, which was held on April 16–17 at Konga Place, Lagos. The session, titled “Breaking the Concrete Ceiling,” brought together a distinguished group of women leaders to explore the cultural, structural, and institutional barriers that limit women’s advancement in leadership.
The roundtable featured Dr. Owen Omogiafo, President and Group CEO of Transnational Corporation; Temilola Adepetun, Founder and CEO of SKLD Integrated Services; Shaffy Bello, renowned Nigerian actress; and Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen of the Warri Kingdom. The session was one of the key highlights of the summit, which focused on the broader theme of “Transformative Leadership: Developing Responsive, Adaptive, and Inclusive Models.”
Chude opened the conversation by questioning the phrase “concrete ceiling” and directed his first question to Dr. Owen, asking if she believed such a barrier exists, especially for young women starting their careers. In response, Dr. Owen stated, “I don’t think I like that phrase ‘concrete ceiling’ because concrete suggests it’s impenetrable. Let’s keep it at ‘glass ceiling’ so there’s hope.” She explained that while women are increasingly present at the entry level in many industries, there is a significant drop-off at the assistant manager level and above. According to her, this decline is tied to growing imbalances in societal expectations around women’s roles in both the workplace and the home.
Another panelist highlighted the specific “ceilings” that continue to exist—culture, tradition, and silence—urging that these must be acknowledged and intentionally broken to create real progress.
Chude then turned to Olori Atuwatse III, asking how she navigates the restrictive expectations that often come with her title, especially in a society where people expect the “Olori” to be seen and not heard. The Queen responded, “Anyone who knows me knows I don’t live in a box. I tend to ask ‘why’ and naturally push boundaries.” She shared that one of her first steps was owning her identity unapologetically and fully understanding who she was. The second, she noted, was male allyship—specifically crediting her husband for creating and supporting the official office of Olori Atuwatse III.
She also spoke powerfully about self-discovery and the difficulty women face in owning their identity. “You can’t own what you don’t know,” she said. “As women, we’re groomed to behave a certain way, and if we don’t fit into that mold, our entire identity is questioned.” She traced her personal journey to the period shortly after giving birth to her second child, during which she experienced postpartum anxiety—a season she described as one of the darkest, yet most transformative in her life.
The conversation moved to the entertainment industry, with Chude asking Shaffy Bello about navigating public perception and professional barriers. Shaffy reflected on her entry into the film space, saying, “I wanted to be true to myself, but I also saw the mistakes others made because they didn’t know better.” She expressed pride in restoring dignity and professionalism to an industry she believes was losing its values. “I faced barriers, but my work speaks for me. I bring dignity, integrity, and I know my craft,” she said.
Olori Atuwatse III returned to the theme of feminine leadership, offering a redefinition of femininity. “Femininity isn’t soft,” she said. “It’s like silk—soft and strong at the same time. It’s influence, it’s emotional intelligence. We must bring our femininity into leadership so we can lead from our best selves.” She also encouraged young girls to see femininity as a strength, not a limitation.
When asked to recall a personal moment when someone tried to silence her, Dr. Owen emphasized the importance of self-awareness and communication. “Many people shut themselves down because they’re unsure of their value. Expand your knowledge, so when you need to engage, engage properly,” she advised.
Temilola Adepetun shared practical insights for young entrepreneurs. She encouraged them to open a business bank account and register their companies as a way to present themselves professionally. Responding to a question on gender quotas in leadership, she said, “Position yourself, improve yourself, develop yourself, and earn certifications. The problem isn’t the lack of quotas—it’s the lack of qualified women available to fill them.”
In the audience Q&A, a participant asked Olori Atuwatse III how she balances leadership responsibilities while wearing multiple hats. She responded by underscoring the importance of community, self-care, and routine as tools to help manage the demands of leadership.
The session ended with a powerful takeaway from Dr. Owen, who encouraged the audience to surround themselves with a circle of people who share their vision and values, reinforcing the summit’s core message of community-driven, inclusive leadership.
The “Breaking the Concrete Ceiling” roundtable was a standout feature of the Lagos Leadership Summit, offering deep insights, real stories, and actionable advice for a new generation of leaders.
