Nigeria's former Ambassador to Greece, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, has called on women in the Niger Delta to prioritize financial literacy, savings, and investment as essential steps towards achieving financial stability and empowering their communities. She made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Kilali Tribe Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference was held under the theme, “Her Voice, Her Power: Five Years of Impact.” Akinkugbe emphasized that financial independence would enable women to make informed decisions, pursue their aspirations, and support others in building sustainable livelihoods.
According to Akinkugbe, women must acquire the financial knowledge needed to overcome barriers to economic empowerment and make meaningful contributions to their families and communities. She stressed that financial stability was essential to effective community engagement, noting that women with adequate financial resources were better positioned to support others and contribute to development. Akinkugbe described her participation in the conference as a privilege, commending the Kilali Tribe for creating a platform that promotes women’s empowerment through mentorship, networking, knowledge-sharing, and other developmental initiatives.
The former envoy maintained that financial stability would enable women to make a huge difference in their communities. She noted that it was difficult to have power without financial success, as money was needed to do things for others and for the community. Akinkugbe added that the Kilali Tribe had provided women with opportunities to learn from one another, gain valuable experience, and connect with individuals making significant contributions in different fields.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of Kilali Tribe, Dr Tonye Sekibo, said the organisation was established to make a positive impact on women and men, particularly those in the Niger Delta. She explained that the annual conference was designed to inspire women, strengthen their capacity, and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their dreams while contributing to the development of their communities and the region.
Sekibo disclosed that the organisation had undertaken several initiatives, including mentoring women, organising webinars for secondary school students, and sponsoring individuals for training at the Lagos Business School. She also revealed that plans were underway to establish a Kilali Tribe Academy to expand the organisation’s capacity-building and empowerment programmes. However, Sekibo identified cultural expectations, religious influences, economic limitations, and prevailing mindsets as some of the challenges affecting women’s financial empowerment in the Niger Delta.
Sekibo noted that addressing these barriers would require sustained efforts to encourage women to embrace opportunities for personal development, financial independence, and leadership. She emphasized that the greatest challenge for women from the Niger Delta was their mindset, as they had been held back by culture, religion, and the economy. The conference brought together women and other participants to exchange experiences, share ideas, and explore practical approaches to personal development, financial independence, and community impact.
Through its mentorship programmes and annual gatherings, the Kilali Tribe continues to promote empowerment initiatives aimed at helping women realise their potential and contribute more effectively to the development of the Niger Delta. The organisation's efforts focus on creating a supportive community that enables women to build sustainable livelihoods and make informed decisions about their lives and communities.
Key points
- Former Ambassador to Greece, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, urges Niger Delta women to prioritize financial literacy and empowerment.
- Kilali Tribe Chairperson, Dr Tonye Sekibo, highlights challenges to women's financial empowerment in the Niger Delta.
- The Kilali Tribe promotes women's empowerment through mentorship, networking, and capacity-building initiatives.
