The President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Dr. Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, has been honoured with the prestigious Leading Emerging Women Leader in Africa Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, advocacy for women’s empowerment and unwavering commitment to community development.
According to an official signed statement by the Liaison Officer, NAOWA, Captain Jemila Jimoh, the award was presented during the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Focus Africa Series, a landmark event that brought together policymakers, development experts, women leaders and key stakeholders from across the continent to deliberate on strategies for advancing women’s leadership and sustainable development in Africa.
Following the presentation of the award, Dr. Shaibu delivered a keynote lecture titled, “From the Home Front to the Boardroom: How Women’s Resilience Strengthens Families and Communities Across the World,” where she underscored the indispensable role of women in building resilient families, strong communities and prosperous nations.
Addressing participants, the NAOWA President described resilience as a defining quality that enables women to overcome challenges while continuing to nurture families, support communities and excel in leadership roles.
Drawing from her experiences as a military officer’s wife and a professional, Dr. Shaibu highlighted the unique sacrifices and responsibilities borne by women in military communities. She noted that their ability to manage homes during deployments and periods of uncertainty equips them with leadership qualities that are invaluable in both public and private sectors.
“The home is not separate from leadership; it is where leadership is first nurtured and developed,” she stated.
She emphasized that empowering women produces far-reaching benefits for society, stressing that strong women contribute significantly to stable families, thriving communities and sustainable national development.
Dr. Shaibu also reaffirmed NAOWA’s commitment to promoting the welfare and empowerment of women and families through programmes focused on education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and social support within military communities.
While acknowledging the progress made in advancing women’s participation in leadership, she observed that many women still face challenges, including balancing professional and family responsibilities, limited opportunities and inadequate recognition for their contributions.
She therefore called for greater investment in mentorship programmes, inclusive policies and leadership platforms that would enable more women to realise their full potential.
“As we look toward the future, there must be a conscious effort to recognize and value the strength that women bring from the home front into leadership spaces,” she said.
The NAOWA President further urged governments, institutions and stakeholders across Africa to continue investing in women as catalysts for sustainable development, emphasizing that the continent’s future depends on resilient, visionary and determined women.
She concluded her lecture with the words: “If you empower a man, you empower an individual, but if you empower a woman, you empower a nation.”
The recognition of Dr. Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu with the Leading Emerging Women Leader in Africa Award further underscores her growing influence as a champion of women’s empowerment, family development and transformational leadership across Africa.
