The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Human Resources in collaboration with the ECOWAS Amazon network, held a two-day retreat from 28 to 29 May 2025 in Zuma Rock, Niger State, to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), postponed to ensure inclusive participation across religious and cultural backgrounds.
Coinciding with ECOWAS Day, the retreat brought together women staff for a powerful moment of reflection, self-empowerment, and strategic leadership growth. Under the theme “Growth, Purpose and Self-Actualisation,” participants engaged in dynamic sessions on gender equity, personal SWOT assessments, and resilience-building, guided by renowned facilitator Dr. Jibuzor Otive, a distinguished Nigerian development expert, governance reform advocate, and leadership coach
ECOWAS Amazon President Madame Marième Sy urged women to define success on their own terms and lead with authenticity. The gathering reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to gender empowerment as a cornerstone of its Vision 2050: building an ECOWAS of Peoples.