Nigerian Women Launches “Archive of Excellence” to Preserve Legacy of Women Leaders
By Goodness Ekpang
A landmark initiative aimed at preserving and amplifying the contributions of Nigerian women was unveiled on Thursday, April 2, in Abuja, with a powerful call for documentation, legacy-building, and national reflection at a high-level gathering.
Speaking at the event, the convener, Uduakobong Godwin, declared that Nigeria must move beyond celebrating achievements to deliberately documenting them, warning that “a nation that does not document its excellence risks erasing its future.”
Guess at the event
Uduakobong Godwin is the convener of the Apex Women Award, which is partnered by ROTV, NCWS, NTA Total TV, among others.
The event, which saw the induction of 19 exceptional women from diverse sectors into the Inaugural 50 National Legacy Archive, was described not merely as a ceremonial gathering, but as a strategic intervention to institutionalize legacy preservation and leadership inspiration for future generations.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, she emphasized that the stories of Nigerian women are not only inspirational but also serve as practical blueprints for leadership, resilience, and national development.
Partner Rasheeda Yahaya
“The stories of Nigerian women are not just inspiring—they are instructional. They are not just beautiful—they are strategic. They are not just personal—they are national assets,” she said.
The “Archive of Excellence” concept was presented as a long-term national repository that will capture and preserve the journeys, struggles, and successes of women who have made significant contributions across sectors.
According to the convener, the initiative represents a shift from momentary recognition to structured documentation, ensuring that the legacies of outstanding women are not lost to time.
In her keynote address, the former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, called on women in leadership to prioritize impact, inclusion, and legacy-building as they rise to positions of influence.
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi
This, she said, in her keynote titled “The Architecture of Enduring Legacy: Leading with Impact at the Apex,” emphasized that leadership is not a reward but a responsibility to drive change and open doors for others.
She stressed the need for women to move beyond recognition to intentional impact.
Highlighting her journey from a clerical officer to top leadership roles, she noted that bridging the gap between women’s contributions and representation remains critical.
Also speaking, the founder of ROTV, Rasheeda Yahaya, one of the partners, explained that the Apex Women Award is rooted in the desire to celebrate Nigerian women across every sector who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour.
While noting that there are designated periods each year to celebrate women, she emphasized that celebration alone is not enough, stressing the importance of recognition, visibility, and meaningful storytelling.
Hajiya Medina Dauda
“It is one thing to celebrate women, but another to truly recognize, showcase, and present them as pillars of inspiration within society. Across Nigeria, countless women are excelling—not only in intellectual spaces, but in business, public service, entrepreneurship, the arts, and grassroots development. These contributions often go unnoticed, and this platform seeks to change that narrative.
“Our vision is to bring these women to the forefront—highlighting their achievements and projecting their stories to the world. By doing so, we aim to inspire the next generation. Young girls should be able to look at these role models and see tangible proof that success is possible in any field they choose.
“Beyond celebration, this initiative also incorporates mentorship. The women being honoured serve not only as awardees but also as guides and role models. For instance, when a young architect sees a successful under-40 female architect being recognized, it becomes a powerful source of motivation. The same applies across all professions.
“We are proud to spotlight trailblazers—women who have broken barriers and achieved historic milestones, including pioneers in institutions such as the Nigerian Army and the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others. These stories reinforce the message that there are no limits to what Nigerian women can achieve.
“This edition marks the beginning of what we envision as a long-term initiative. While this is our foundational phase, the goal is to sustain and expand the awards annually. With continued support, we intend to scale beyond Nigeria—across Africa and ultimately onto the global stage—projecting the excellence of African women to the world,” she said.
Some of the women inducted into the Inaugural 50 National Legacy Archive include Dame Pauline Tallen, Dr. Umma Adamu Sani, AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju, Barr, Amina Oyiza Yahaya Bello, Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu, Princes Edna Didi Azura, Aribinrin Ronke Atoyebi, Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk, Dr. Atunike Wuraola Owolabi, Dr. Maryann Ada Mbanaso and Hajia Medina Dauda among others.
