It was a day of robust conversation on courage, credibility, character, integrity, competence, and purpose in the pursuit of justice, as the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) hosted its 2026 Gender Roundtable to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day.
Held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Ayo Ajomo Hall of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), UNILAG; the event served as a strategic platform for legal scholars, practitioners, and advocates to deepen advocacy for the protection and promotion of women’s rights and gender inclusion as pathways to building a more equitable society.
“Give to Gain”: A Call to Action
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs. Bola Adesola described the theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day: Give to Gain, as both radical and revolutionary, particularly against the backdrop of policies and structures that continue to impede gender inclusion while positioning men at an advantage.
The thought-provoking address questioned the rationale behind Nigeria’s subscription to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), when legislative efforts aimed at protecting women’s rights in politics and governance are frequently stalled, inadequately implemented, or poorly enforced.
Mrs. Adesola emphasized that meaningful progress requires intentional contribution. According to her, women must:
Give their voices and learning to gain influence,
Give mentorship to gain stronger networks,
Give solidarity to gain safety,
Give time and energy to gain real change, and
Give resources to gain lasting impact
She further challenged women in the legal profession, across industry and academia, to embody excellence and integrity, serving as beacons of hope for the next generation of female lawyers. According to her, only through deliberate leadership and principled action can past inequities be corrected and a better society be secured for the girl-child.
Panel Discussions and Expert Contributions
The Gender Roundtable also featured engaging discussions via panel sessions.
The session moderated by Professor Iyabode Ogunniran included the Head of Folashade Alli & Associates, Mrs. Folashade Alli, SAN, and Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode.
Panelists explored the significance of the 2026 International Women’s Day theme and its implications for the future of women within the legal profession and society at large. They underscored the importance of institutional support, structured mentorship, and deliberate policy reforms as essential tools for promoting fairness, empowerment, and expanded opportunities for women and girls.
Another session featured faculty members specializing in Gender and Law, who shared scholarly insights aligned with the roundtable’s theme. The session was coordinated by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.
Faculty Perspectives and Institutional Commitment
In their separate remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Abiola Sanni, SAN, and the Head of the Department of Public Law, Professor Gbenga Akingbehin, reaffirmed the Faculty’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence, particularly among its female students.
They cited the gender distribution of the 43 Faculty alumni who earned distinctions in the 2025 final Bar Examinations, as well as the recent trend of predominantly female First Class LL.B graduates, as evidence of the growing impact and achievements of women within the Faculty.
A Legacy of Advocacy Since 2009
According to Professor Iyabode Ogunniran, the Public Law Gender Roundtable is deliberately aligned with the annual International Women’s Day commemoration. Since its debut in 2009, the initiative has focused on:
Raising awareness on gender-based issues,
Building capacity,
Providing mentorship,
Encouraging gender-focused research,
Advocating reforms, and
Transforming the academic and policy landscape
The 2026 edition reinforced the Roundtable’s commitment to advancing gender justice, demonstrating that sustained progress requires not only advocacy, but action grounded in purpose and principle.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Islamiat Akanni
