Sometime in the recent past, women were content to be shopkeepers, sales girls, clerks and cashiers in small scale businesses. Others were glad to be stenographers, typists, teachers, nursemaids, hair stylists and food vendors.
These occupations afforded them ample time to be homemakers and nurturers of their children, husbands and extended family members. They were happy playing in the lowly leagues.
The C Suite majorly back then were controlled by men. Most CEOs, MDs, Chairmen and GMs of blue chip companies in the 60s-70s after indigenisation were mostly men.
This was the era of Boardroom Titans like Chief Ernest Sonekan, Chief FRA Williams , Chief Akintola Williams, Chief Michael Ani, Dr Michael Omolayole, Chief Felix Ohiwerei, Mr Olakunle Olashore among others.
Few women such as Chief Bola Kuforiji Olubi, Chief Nike Akande, Mrs Maria Sokennu and others featured as token women business leaders during that era.
Most banking
institutions back then were owned and run by men.
Same for the entertainment and music industries. They were dominated by male founders like Chief Hubert Ogunde and Chief Moses Adejumo. Most musicians/singers, comedians, producers, drummers, actors, and writers were men.
This was the era of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey,King Sunny Ade, Sir Dennis Osasebey, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sir Oliver de Coque and Orlando Owoh.
Today, the story has tilted in favour of women. More women are now occupants of hitherto exclusive havens of men.
More women are now owners of banks, film studios, media outfits, radio stations, factories, hospitals, petrol stations, real estate, hospitality centres and logistics companies.
More women are today operating as Ambassadors, Deputy Governors, Federal Ministers, Group CEOs of international banks, UN agencies, oil and gas, technical solutions and IT companies.
We noted that these appointments were recently rolled out, these companies are now strategically headed by female managing directors:
Multichoice: a leading streaming media company.
Eko Disco: private sector electricity providers
Films: 6 top grossing films of all times in the billion naira range are produced and directed by women.
Music: Female singers are high earners alongside their male counterparts
Broadcasting: More female founders of radio, television and online media outfits
Real estate: More female real estate developers and construction engineers
That’s why we’re excited and shouting from the rostrum.
Are you excited like us? Are you puffed up and celebrating with a glass of wine in tow? Is the C Suite now a unisex enclave?
What’s your take on this growing trend?
Is it a welcome or worrisome phenomenon?
Have your say.
Please join the conversation and send your comments and feedbacks to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
