By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Women’s economic empowerment, access to leadership and institutional support for female entrepreneurs took centre stage at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSSA) 2026 in Abuja, on Wednesday.
PerSecondNews correspondent reports that the summit highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate in decision-making, expand their businesses and contribute to national development through professional service, entrepreneurship and public leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller of the Seme Area Command in Lagos State, A. S. Kaila, acknowledged women’s significant roles in formal and informal trade across African trade corridors and deserved institutional support to expand their businesses.
Kaila, who congratulated the award recipients and commended the organisers, said the responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service extended beyond revenue generation to border security, trade facilitation and collaboration with other government agencies.
According to him, recognizing the contributions of women was important to strengthening economic participation and encouraging more women to contribute to national development.
“African women today are major contributors to economic growth, entrepreneurship, innovation and community development,” he said.
Kaila added that empowering women economically would strengthen families, make communities more resilient and contribute to sustainable national development.
He urged individuals, institutions and government agencies to create opportunities for women to participate in leadership, decision-making and economic activities.
The Customs official also disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service had commissioned a facility at the Seme border to support women traders operating along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
He said the initiative formed part of efforts to improve traders’ welfare and facilitate smoother commercial activities along the corridor.
Speaking after receiving an award, the First Lady of Bauchi State, Dr Aisha Bala Mohammed, who was represented by Dr Ladi, expressed appreciation for the recognition.
She described the award as an affirmation of efforts to promote women’s inclusion across different sectors of society.
“We are very happy to receive this award. It is a testament to all the things we have been doing from the beginning. The intention is to create an environment where women will have inclusion in all spheres of society,” her representative said.
She pledged continued commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for women in social, economic and public life.
Among the other recipients was Dr Aisha Ibrahim Adoke, former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kogi Investment and Property Limited (KIPL), who was recognised for reforms and property management.
Adoke, a leading aspirant for the Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, described the recognition as an unexpected but encouraging acknowledgement of her contributions to public service and society.
“I feel very elated and very happy. It is not something I was expecting, but I am very happy that I am being recognised for what I have done and what I am doing now,” she said.
She said the award would motivate her to do more whenever she found herself in a leadership position.
Adoke also encouraged women aspiring to leadership positions to remain determined and resilient despite the challenges they might encounter in male-dominated environments.
“It is not easy to get to where I am today because there is always frustration from the male side. You have to be determined and focused. Whenever you fall, you get up. Do not get discouraged,” she advised.
On his part, Adoke’s son, Architect Abdulmalik Ajanah Suleiman, described the award as a well-deserved recognition of his mother’s contributions to society.
According to him, Adoke had demonstrated a commitment to service from her early days in the civil service, where she worked as a social welfare officer, before moving into other areas of public service and leadership.
“We are very happy that she has been recognised with this award because she is someone who has always been impactful in so many areas, even before she entered politics,” he said.
Suleiman urged young women to emulate his mother’s hard work, determination and belief in their ability to succeed.
PerSecondNews correspondent reports that about 20 officers of the Nigeria Customs Service were also honoured at the ceremony.
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