IN 2010, while I was pushing myself to complete my Executive MBA at Midlands State University, my sister-in-law asked me a question that made me pause: “Why are you putting yourself under this immense pressure to get a Master’s degree? You are already a successful businesswoman; you don’t need a degree to find a job.” I told her it was for self-actualisation. Little did I know this was the beginning of my life’s path toward academia.
After graduating in 2011, my journey continued when the Women University in Africa (WUA) conferred an honorary MBA on me in 2012, recognising my drive for women’s empowerment and business acumen.
This was followed by an honorary PhD in Philosophy in Business Leadership in 2017, in recognition of my outstanding leadership record and the thousands of papers on entrepreneurship I had presented globally. Over the years, I have had the honor of delivering guest lectures at various universities and was even asked to be an adjunct professor. While my businesses and women’s empowerment initiatives keep me busy, I agreed to give guest lectures to help build the next generation of business leaders. My book, which won the 2025 NAMA award for Outstanding Non-fiction writing, has also been accepted as a key resource by some universities— another way for me to share knowledge.
A full-circle moment: The Chancellorship Now, as the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa, my life has come full circle. I genuinely enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with anyone who wants to learn, whether through social media, presentations, or my published book. It is an honor to impart knowledge, especially to the future business leaders of our country and beyond. I accepted this Chancellorship because WUA’s vision resonates deeply with my own. The university’s mandate is to address gender disparity and foster equity in education. Since its inception,
more than 17,000 students have graduated from WUA, with 80% of them being
women. I am particularly inspired by the university’s Gender Centre, which allows
nursing mothers to attend lectures while their children are cared for. WUA focuses on three key areas of need:
* Faculty of Agriculture, Environmental and Health Sciences
* Faculty of Social and Gender Transformation Sciences
* Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurial Sciences
The university has made remarkable strides, but we still need to support them, especially in STEM subjects, where 80% of students are women. The most urgent need is the construction of on-campus housing. We are actively seeking partnerships to build hostels on the Manresa land. The power of education As a business leader, I have learned that
true leadership is about building others, opening doors, creating opportunities, and helping people grow. I have always focused on supporting women and young people because when they are empowered, families, communities, and entire economies are strengthened. WUA embodies this belief. It was founded to give women who thought their lives were already sealed a second chance at an education. I have met countless graduates whose lives were transformed by this opportunity. Some have gone on to earn master’s and PhD degrees after starting with WUA’s undergraduate program. My personal and business community engagement programs have always focused on education, the environment, and women’s economic empowerment. As Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This is precisely why I am so honored to be part of the WUA community and why I am confident that education is the best form of empowerment we can give anyone.
The Standard
