Helen Olayiwola, a Nigerian entrepreneur and women's empowerment advocate, has spent over a decade in the banking sector and now connects people, businesses, and institutions across Africa and the international community. As the founder of Ladies in Business Magazine Global and President of the African-Arab Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she promotes women's empowerment and business diplomacy. With a background as a trained accountant, Olayiwola's experience has shaped her understanding of business, finance, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Olayiwola is set to host a Nigerian Independence Day celebration in Dubai, which she believes will project Nigeria positively and create meaningful connections between Nigerians, the UAE, and the wider international community. The event, themed "Nigeria Unites, We Rise by Lifting Others," reflects her desire for unity, collaboration, and collective progress. With Nigerians already having a strong presence in the UAE, the celebration will provide a platform for networking, business relationships, tourism promotion, investment conversations, and cultural exchange.
Dubai is a global hub for business, tourism, investment, innovation, and culture, and Olayiwola admires its intentionality behind tourism development, infrastructure, branding, and international positioning. She believes Nigeria can learn from Dubai without trying to become it, leveraging its own natural resources, diverse cultures, historical sites, and vibrant creative industry. To achieve this, Olayiwola advocates for greater intentionality in developing and packaging Nigeria's assets for the global market, stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, and improved infrastructure.
As the organiser of the S.H.E. Global Awards, Olayiwola shares that her vision was to create a platform where women could be celebrated, connected, and encouraged to believe in themselves. The initiative has grown beyond Nigeria, creating opportunities for women to connect across borders. Olayiwola's goal is to keep creating platforms that empower women economically, professionally, and socially, and she measures success by seeing women gain confidence, make new connections, or access opportunities.
Olayiwola describes her personal style as a reflection of identity, confidence, and personality, often drawn to African style that distinguishes her and communicates elegance, femininity, sophistication, and power. Her style has evolved alongside her journey, influenced by her experiences, travels, and cultural encounters. As an African woman leader, Olayiwola believes her appearance should communicate confidence, culture, respect, and professionalism.
Outside of work, Olayiwola finds inspiration in her family, faith, and people who have overcome challenges to build something meaningful. Her faith gives her strength, and she believes that God has a purpose for every season of life. Olayiwola also enjoys travelling, discovering new cultures, and meeting people from different backgrounds, which broadens her perspective and gives her new ideas for her work.
Olayiwola's work continues to make an impact, and her vision for Nigeria's potential and women's empowerment is clear. With her initiatives and events, she aims to create a lasting legacy that inspires and supports women and promotes Nigeria's growth and development.
Key points
- Helen Olayiwola advocates for Nigeria to learn from Dubai's intentionality in tourism development and infrastructure without trying to become Dubai.
- Olayiwola's S.H.E. Global Awards aim to empower women economically, professionally, and socially.
- Her personal style reflects her identity, confidence, and personality, often drawn to African style.
