What It’s Like as a Female Health Leader (Reflections on Motherhood, Mentorship, and Amplifying Women’s Voices in Nigeria)

I was in the middle of a virtual session when my two year old suddenly walked across the screen  holding his toy like it was a microphone, while my five month old cried loudly in the background.  For a moment my heart raced as I wondered whether to apologize, or quickly end the session. Then  I smiled because life does not wait for perfect timing and neither does leadership. Sometimes you  lead with what you have, right in the middle of the noise and interruptions. In that moment, with  my children unintentionally stealing the show, I remembered a common saying in Nigeria that no  condition is permanent. The chaos passed, the session continued, and the lesson stayed with me. 

Motherhood has changed how I see both life and my work. It has stretched my patience and  deepened my empathy. When I listen to the stories of women and girls in communities, I hear them  differently now. Their struggles feel closer and their hopes feel more urgent because I now see the  world not only through the eyes of a public health professional, but also through the eyes of a  mother. 

My work in public health is both demanding and meaningful. Some days I coordinate youth  leadership programmes, guiding cohorts of young people who are learning to find their voices and  lead in their communities. Other days I support advocacy efforts that move from community  conversations to policy discussions. I also consult with networks working to grow and engage  communities of female public health leaders who want to influence stronger and more responsive  health systems. Alongside this, I continue my academic journey, writing, learning, and applying  for fellowships that help me grow professionally. 

Many nights end late with a laptop open and ideas still forming. It can be tiring, but the work  carries purpose. Each effort holds the hope that women across Nigeria, from busy cities to quiet  villages, are represented, heard, and included in conversations and decisions that shape their health  and their futures. 

One of the greatest gifts on this journey has been the women around me. I have been surrounded  by women who lifted me at different stages of my life. They come from different tribes, religions,  and backgrounds, yet they share a common belief that when one woman rises she should not rise  alone. Some opened doors for me, some spoke my name in rooms where I was not present, and  others trusted me with opportunities I once felt unprepared for. 

My husband often reminds me that when one hand lifts another, both hands rise. His words reflect  an important truth that support does not only come from women. When men choose to support  women’s leadership, whether as husbands, colleagues, mentors, friends, fathers, or brothers, they  help create space for women to step forward with confidence. 

One moment that will forever stay with me in life happened during a learning session when a  young woman I mentor had the opportunity to moderate for the first time. She was nervous and  unsure of herself, but I encouraged her to try. As the session began, she slowly found her voice  and guided the conversation with confidence. Watching her grow in that moment reminded me  that the support we give others can shape their journey in ways we may never fully see.

This journey has not always been easy, yet I keep showing up. I have learnt that the more we give  through mentorship, encouragement, and opportunity, the more we grow ourselves. For me,  leadership means lifting voices, creating space, and ensuring that women are empowered to lead.