Ekiti Women in Management Urges Female Leaders to Build Executive Presence

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, has urged female public servants to strengthen their executive presence, sharpen their communication skills and prioritise holistic wellness to improve their effectiveness in leadership and public service.

Mrs Babafemi made the call while delivering a presentation at the Virtual Learning Session organised by the Ekiti Women in Management (EKWIM), themed, “Command the Room: Mastering Executive Voice, Body Language and Influence.”

She praised EKWIM for creating a platform that equips women in the public service with practical leadership skills, urging participants to embrace continuous learning and deliberately invest in their personal and professional growth.

According to the commissioner, technical competence alone no longer guarantees leadership success. She said women must also communicate with confidence, clarity and purpose if they hope to influence decisions, inspire teams and earn greater responsibilities.

She identified executive voice, confident body language, purposeful eye contact, effective voice projection, strategic use of silence and the avoidance of filler words as essential attributes of strong leadership.

Mrs Babafemi also drew attention to challenges that continue to limit the advancement of many women in leadership. She listed imposter syndrome, cultural expectations, fear of being misunderstood and inadequate preparation among the factors that often weaken confidence and visibility.

She maintained that influence is earned through integrity, emotional intelligence, consistency and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement.

During the interactive session, the commissioner encouraged participants to pay close attention to their mental, intellectual and physical wellbeing, describing self-care as an essential part of sustainable leadership rather than a luxury.

She urged women to cultivate healthy routines, remain lifelong learners and intentionally pursue opportunities that broaden their knowledge and strengthen their professional capacity.

The session was hosted by the EKWIM Coordinator and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services Department, Dr Oyeyemi Kayode Ojo, who said effective communication remains central to building confidence, improving workplace productivity and preparing women for higher leadership responsibilities.

EKWIM Secretary, Mrs Adetayo Adesola, introduced the guest speaker and encouraged members to keep refining their public speaking and communication skills as part of their career development.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, described Mrs Babafemi as an accomplished public administrator and mentor whose leadership experience continues to inspire women across the Ekiti State Public Service.

The virtual learning session attracted female senior public officers from across the state, including Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and the State Statistician-General, Mrs Dolapo Dasola-Ojo.

Participants ended the session with a shared commitment to strengthen their confidence through continuous practice, recognising that effective communication remains a critical tool for stronger institutions, better governance and the emergence of more women leaders.