Women Must Lead the Future of Governance Project— Amb. Zainab Mohammed By Raymond Enoch
Chief Ambassador Zainab Mohammed has called for stronger female participation in leadership and decision-making within Nigeria’s project management sector, declaring that sustainable development cannot be achieved while women remain underrepresented in governance structures.
She made the call while presenting a paper titled “Women Inclusivity on Project Governance” during the 2026 induction ceremony and conference of the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), where she was also formally inducted as a Chartered Member.
Speaking before project management professionals, policymakers and stakeholders, Ambassador Mohammed described inclusivity as a strategic necessity rather than a symbolic gesture, stressing that women must be actively involved in policy formulation, project planning, procurement oversight, monitoring, evaluation and executive decision-making.
According to her, organizations with inclusive leadership structures consistently demonstrate stronger transparency, better risk management, improved collaboration and more sustainable project outcomes.
She noted that despite women’s major contributions across sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, trade and entrepreneurship, they remain significantly underrepresented in project governance and leadership positions, especially in infrastructure, engineering, technology and public policy.
“The future of project governance must be inclusive, accountable, innovative and sustainable, and women must stand at the center of that future,” she stated.
Ambassador Mohammed further urged institutions and professional bodies to create deliberate opportunities for women through mentorship programmes, professional certification access, balanced leadership policies and equal participation in procurement and financing opportunities.
She also called for stronger encouragement for girls and young women to pursue careers linked to project governance, including engineering, construction, finance, technology and public administration.
Commending the leadership of CIPMN for advancing professionalism within the sector, she specifically appreciated the Registrar of Membership, Hajara Yusuf, for promoting women’s inclusion and representation in project management.
She maintained that inclusive governance builds stronger public trust, stakeholder ownership and long-term sustainability in developmental initiatives, adding that Nigeria and Africa cannot afford to waste the talents and leadership potential of women.
The conference attracted professionals, inductees and development stakeholders from across the country, with discussions centered on governance standards, leadership, accountability and sustainable national development.
