ROFIAT MURAINA
Conversations around workplace culture, leadership, and career advancement continue to take centre stage in Nigeria, with growing attention on the challenges women face in professional spaces. One initiative working to shape this conversation is Women’s Space, founded by Ogechi Onyeukwu.
According to Onyeukwu, Women’s Space was created to address long-standing barriers that hinder women from thriving in leadership and workplace environments. “Many women navigate professional spaces with immense talent and potential but often find themselves in environments that are not structured to support their growth,” she said. “The conversation needs to shift beyond merely helping women succeed within existing structures to rethinking how these structures can be improved for everyone.”
Onyeukwu, who has a background in technology, strategy consulting, and entrepreneurship, has worked with diverse teams on business transformation and workplace culture projects. She explains that Women’s Space is not just about empowerment but about fostering real change in corporate settings. “We are not here to simply motivate women; we are here to ask the difficult questions—how do we create workplaces where leadership is based on integrity, collaboration, and merit? How do we ensure that women are not just present at the table but are also key decision-makers?” she said.
As part of its ongoing efforts, Women’s Space is set to launch a TV show that will spotlight real workplace experiences, leadership challenges, and career growth strategies. Onyeukwu describes it as a space for open and honest dialogue. “A lot of conversations around workplace culture happen behind closed doors. We want to bring these discussions to the forefront, allowing women to share their experiences, challenges, and victories without filters,” she said.
She further emphasizes the importance of building communities that offer more than just motivation. “It’s not enough to tell women to be confident or work hard. We need spaces where they can access mentorship, strategic insights, and networks that will help them grow. That’s why we encourage continuous discussions beyond the TV show and events, including through digital platforms like @joinwomensspace, where women can stay connected and engaged,” she added.
With workplace culture evolving across different industries, initiatives like Women’s Space continue to contribute to broader discussions on equity, leadership, and professional development. As Onyeukwu puts it, “The future of work is not just about having more women in leadership; it’s about redefining leadership in a way that benefits everyone.”
