There are award nights, and then there are moments that ignite something bigger — moments that don’t just celebrate impact but inspire it. Monday night at the Eko Convention Center was one such moment. It wasn’t just another glamorous gathering. It was a powerful reminder that when women rise, entire generations ascend with them.
Hosted by ARISE News Television in celebration of International Women’s Month 2025, the Arise Gala for Women Making Impact was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment the red carpet rolled out, it was clear this was not just an event — it was a movement in motion. The air shimmered with elegance, yes, but also with purpose. This was a night that brought together Nigeria’s most exceptional women — not just the ones breaking glass ceilings, but those redesigning the entire room.
Eighty remarkable women were honoured across a spectrum of sectors — from politics and public service to business, healthcare, media, philanthropy, arts, and technology. These were women with fingerprints on the levers of power and progress, women who don’t just occupy space but transform it. What made the night so special wasn’t just what these women had achieved, but what they continue to make possible for others.
Because legacy isn’t just about success — it’s about opening doors, lifting others, and showing the next generation what’s possible.
And that’s precisely what ARISE News did with this celebration. Beyond the glamour, this was a night of visibility and validation. A night that told every young girl watching: Yes, you can. You belong in that boardroom, on that ballot, behind that camera, in that lab coat. And not just as a participant — but as a leader.
Hosted with just the right dose of humour and humility by Bovi Ugboma, and anchored by the poised and brilliant Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, the evening moved seamlessly between deep reflection and joyous celebration. There were standing ovations, teary-eyed tributes, and moments of laughter that reminded us that while the journey may be serious, the joy is essential too.
As the spotlight danced across the room, illuminating the faces of trailblazers and quiet revolutionaries, it was impossible not to feel a swell of pride. These were women rewriting the narrative — and in doing so, extending an open invitation to others to join them.
In a country where young women often struggle to see themselves in positions of influence, the Arise Gala did more than just honour excellence — it created a mirror and a map. A mirror that reflects the brilliance of Nigerian women and a map that charts a course forward.
Because representation matters. And when women see other women being celebrated — not for their proximity to power, but for the power they wield — it changes everything.
So here’s to the eighty honourees — the visible hands shaping the present and quietly paving the way for the future. And here’s to ARISE News for using its platform to celebrate, amplify, and most importantly, plant seeds. Because when you shine a light on one woman, you light the path for many more to come.
Opening with History
Before any awards were handed out, the 2025 ARISE Gala and Award Ceremony began with a moment of quiet, reverent power — a tribute to history that set the tone for everything that followed.
Eka and Efe Obaigbena, the poised twin daughters of ARISE News Chairman Prince Nduka Obaigbena, took the stage not merely as ceremonial hosts but as storytellers and torchbearers of a legacy. With effortless grace and a commanding presence beyond their years, they guided the audience through a time capsule of women’s contributions to Nigeria’s evolution — anchoring the evening in memory, heritage, and gratitude.
They spoke not of history as something remote or dusty, but as something alive and urgent — still shaping the present. Their words echoed with the courage of the Aba women whose 1929 revolt against colonial rule remains one of the boldest chapters in Nigeria’s political imagination. They summoned the spirit of Queen Idia, the warrior matriarch of the Benin Kingdom, whose intelligence and bravery steered her people through conflict. They revisited the tireless activism of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo, whose fearless leadership cracked open doors in Nigeria’s male-dominated political space, and reminded us of the bravery of Dr. Stella Adadevoh, whose decisive actions helped stop the spread of Ebola in Nigeria and saved countless lives.
These were not just names in history books; they were reminders of the heavy lifting done by women who dared to dream, resist, and lead. These women weren’t just honoured; they were connected to the trailblazers in the room. The opening speech painted a vivid portrait of how each generation of women stands taller because of those who came before — and how the baton has never stopped moving forward.
Performances That Moved the Room
The musical performances were the exclamation points on an already unforgettable evening. Teni, the Entertainer, lit up the stage with her signature charm and unmatched crowd control, delivering back-to-back hits like “Case” and “Billionaire” with infectious energy.
But it was Asa who brought the emotional crescendo. With no need for props or theatrics, her smoky, soulful voice filled the room, commanding a collective hush as she delivered powerful renditions of “Fire on the Mountain,” “Jailer,” and more. Her vocals — became the perfect sonic metaphor for the night: strong, beautiful, and impossible to ignore.
A Graceful Close to a Night to Remember
As the final cheers faded and the last of the awards were handed out, it was Chinwe Obaigbena, wife of the Chairman and Publisher of ARISE News Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, who stepped forward to deliver the vote of thanks. With poise and warmth, she expressed deep gratitude to every single person who contributed to the success of the evening. She extended her appreciation to the honorees, distinguished guests, diplomats, captains of industry, public servants, and everyone behind the scenes who brought the vision of the Arise Gala to life.
Awards
One of the major highlights of the event was a powerful televised speech from World Trade Organization Director General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who, despite not being physically present, commanded the room with her words. “We often hear there are no qualified women,” she said, her voice steady and sure. “But that excuse no longer holds. She demanded that both the public and private sectors not just “make space” for women but actively train, mentor, and promote them. “Merit is essential,” she declared, “but so is diversity. The cost of leaving women out is too high — economically, socially, morally.”
The rest of the evening unfolded like a symphony of achievement and affirmation, honouring women whose work has moved industries and culture. The list was as dynamic as it was diverse. From the banking boardrooms to the bright lights of fashion, the honourees reflected a spectrum of excellence. Mariam Olusanya of GTCO brought the gravitas of finance; Reni Folawiyo, the creative brilliance of African luxury; Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the clarity and courage of law. Joke Bakare, founder of Medplus Pharmacy, represented health and entrepreneurship, while style matriarch Nkiru Anumudu reminded the world what happens when fashion becomes a business — and a legacy. The tech space had Juliet Ehimuan, one of its most powerful minds, and oil and gas was unapologetically represented by Uju Ifejika, who made it clear in her acceptance speech: “I didn’t come here for handouts; I came to build something that lasts.”
The visual storytelling of the night only deepened the moment. A short, stirring documentary played midway through the programme, offering a rich history of Nigerian women’s contributions across decades. Archival footage gave way to contemporary scenes: women in uniform, in classrooms, in labs, in dusty rural clinics educating other women on maternal health and vaccinations.
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, joined for a televised fireside chat where she didn’t mince words about the urgency of sustainable development and the pressing need for gender parity. Her words — calm, insightful, and precise — served as both a policy prescription and a personal call to action.
The emotional current of the evening crested again when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who received a standing ovation, stepped up to accept her award. She confessed that she had considered skipping the event entirely. “My husband had to remind me that media narratives don’t define me,” she said.
The event was not without a dose of glamour that glinted just right. In a global nod, supermodel and fashion icon Naomi Campbell was recognised for her role in spotlighting African designers on international runways and red carpets. That was the essence of the ARISE Gala: not pomp, but purpose; not just names, but narratives.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Former President Goodluck Jonathan finally stepped on stage to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award he missed at the previous THISDAY Awards event.
Called up to the stage amidst warm cheers, the former President exuded the calm humility for which he’s long been known. Dressed in his signature hat and a crisp traditional ensemble, he smiled as he accepted the long-overdue recognition. When he spoke, it was with the same thoughtful tone that marked his years in office — reflective, gracious, and gently powerful.
Jonathan used the moment to shine a light on one of the most defining features of his presidency: his unwavering commitment to the advancement of women. “We can’t abandon women and expect progress,” he said. His words carried weight — because they were backed by action. During his tenure, he broke barriers by appointing Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice and the first female President of the Court of Appeal. He opened the gates of opportunity for women in the military, shifting the national narrative on what leadership could and should look like.
