WLC - C1 has shown that the work of preparing women for leadership is necessary, urgent, and worth investing in. It has also been shown that transformation does not always begin with large budgets or perfect conditions. Sometimes, it begins with a clear vision and the willingness to start.
When Aid for African Women & Girls (A2WG) started Women Leading the Change, the goal was clear: create a space where women could grow in confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, learn from one another, and begin to see themselves more boldly in politics, governance, and public leadership.
What made this even more meaningful is that the programme was self-funded. It was built out of conviction, not convenience. A2WG saw the need to invest in women’s leadership and decided to act.
And that decision mattered.
From the very beginning, it was obvious that the interest was there. A total of 368 women applied for the opportunity, each with her own story, ambition, and reason for wanting to be part of something bigger. Out of that number, 50 participants were selected to begin the journey.
Over the next six months, what followed was more than a programme. It became a learning community, a support system, and for many, a personal turning point.
Why this programme mattered
Across many spaces, women still face barriers when it comes to leadership, politics, and governance. The talent is there. The passion is there. The ideas are there. But too often, access, confidence, mentorship, and support are missing.
That is the gap A2WG set out to address.
WLC - C1 was designed to help women build the kind of leadership foundation that goes beyond theory. It focused on leadership development, mentorship, peer learning, and political participation, with the wider intention of helping women take up space, influence decisions, and contribute meaningfully to governance at different levels.
This was about helping women not just imagine leadership, but prepare for it.
How it was carried out
The programme ran for six months, giving participants enough time to learn, reflect, engage, and grow. Rather than being a one-time event or a short training, it was structured as an ongoing journey that required commitment and consistency.
Throughout the programme, participants were engaged through sessions and activities that strengthened their understanding of leadership and public engagement. The learning experience was built around a few key pillars.
The first was leadership development. Participants were exposed to conversations and lessons that helped them better understand what leadership looks like in practice. This included building confidence, strengthening communication, deepening self-awareness, and developing the mindset needed to lead with purpose.
The second was mentorship. This was an important part of the experience because growth often happens faster when people are guided, challenged, and encouraged by others who have walked similar paths. Mentorship gave participants room to learn from experience, ask questions, and think more intentionally about their own journeys.
The third was peer learning. One of the most powerful parts of any cohort-based programme is the opportunity to learn from others. WLC - C1 created space for participants to connect, share experiences, support one another, and build relationships that made the learning process more real and more human.
And at the center of it all was the wider goal of enhancing women’s political participation and involvement in governance. The programme encouraged participants to see leadership not only as a personal achievement but as a way of contributing to society, shaping conversations, influencing systems, and representing others more effectively.
A journey that required resilience
Like many meaningful journeys, this one was not easy.
Although 50 women started, 19 participants completed the full six-month programme and graduated, receiving certificates at the end. That number tells its own story. It speaks to the level of dedication the programme required and to the reality that growth takes effort, discipline, and resilience.
Those who made it through stayed committed to the process. They showed up, kept learning, pushed through challenges, and remained engaged. Their graduation was not just a formal close to the programme. It was a recognition of hard work, persistence, and personal growth.
Celebrating standout participants
As the programme came to a close, some participants were specially recognized for the energy, consistency, and leadership they brought into the cohort.
The award recipients were:
These recognitions were not just about performance. They reflected the qualities the programme hoped to inspire: resilience, active participation, leadership in action, and a willingness to grow.
What this means for A2WG
For A2WG, this initiative is an important reminder of what is possible when organizations choose to invest deliberately in women. WLC - C1 may have started as a self-funded initiative, but its value goes far beyond its structure. It created room for women to be seen, heard, stretched, and supported.
It also reinforced something very important: when women are given the right environment, they rise.
Not every journey looks the same. Not every participant begins from the same place. But with the right support, women can build the confidence, knowledge, and leadership presence needed to step into governance spaces and contribute meaningfully.
That is what this programme set in motion.
More than a closing, it is a beginning
As this chapter wraps up, what remains is not just the record of an initiative completed, but the lives that were shaped through it. The learning, the connections, the mentorship, the shared experiences, and the personal breakthroughs will continue beyond the programme itself.
For the 19 women who graduated, this is not simply the end of a six-month experience. It is the beginning of what comes next.
And for A2WG, it is a strong foundation to build on.
WLC - C1 has shown that the work of preparing women for leadership is necessary, urgent, and worth investing in. It has also been shown that transformation does not always begin with large budgets or perfect conditions. Sometimes, it begins with a clear vision and the willingness to start.
That is exactly what happened here.
And this is only the beginning. See spotlight page of amazing cohort members.
Voices from the cohort
“This programme helped me see leadership differently. I now feel more confident to speak, engage, and take initiative in my community.”
— Cohort Member
“The mentorship and sisterhood I found here made a real difference for me. I learned that leadership starts with believing that your voice matters.”
— Cohort Member
"I would like to humbly share what inspired me on this journey.
First and foremost, I would like to sincerely appreciate my group leader, Mrs Esther Ayodele. She has been an incredible pillar of strength and dedication throughout this program. Her commitment to ensuring the success of the work, even in the face of challenges, is truly commendable. She carried everyone along with patience, understanding, and determination, and that is something I deeply admire.
At a certain point, I almost gave up. I had just given birth three days before the program began, and both my baby and I faced some health complications. It was a very difficult time for me, and I honestly felt I could not continue. I shared my concerns with my group members during one of our group calls, explaining that I might not be able to make it to the end. However, they encouraged me and reminded me of how far I had come. They assured me that I was not alone and that I could reach out to any of them whenever I needed support.
From that moment, something changed. My group leader, in particular, kept checking on me consistently calling, sending messages, and encouraging me from time to time. Her care and support touched me deeply. It gave me the strength to continue. I made up my mind that even if not for myself, I had to stay strong for someone who truly wanted to see me succeed.
Today, I am here filled with gratitude. I want to thank each and every one of my group members for their support, encouragement, and kindness. And once again, I deeply appreciate my able and inspiring group leader.
In fact, I even found myself thinking that someone like Mrs Esther Ayodele, with her leadership capacity, compassion, and determination, has what it takes to solve many of the challenges we face in Nigeria.
Thank you so much, Mr. Hassan Kabulu
Thank you, Aid For African Women and Girls
I am truly grateful.
Fatima Yakubu Yusuf from group E"
— Cohort Member
