UPYOUWOMEN Conference 2026 has announced a strategic partnership with the MTN Foundation to align women with future-ready skills and empower them to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
This collaboration brings together inspiration and practical capability, equipping women with both purpose and the tools needed for lasting impact.
Following three successful editions that organisers say have transformed lives, inspired action and fostered meaningful connections, the conference will convene participants under the theme, “ALIGNED: Positioned for Purpose and Impact.” The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing women to participate physically at the venue or virtually from anywhere in the world.
The fourth edition of the UPYOUWOMEN Conference is set to hold on August 28 and 29, 2026, at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, with organisers promising a bigger, bolder and more transformative experience for women across Nigeria, Africa and the global diaspora.
According to the organisers, this year’s theme reflects the realities of women navigating an increasingly complex social and professional landscape, where intentional living, purpose and meaningful impact have become more important than ever.
The organisers described UPYOUWOMEN as more than an annual conference, saying it has evolved into a movement that brings together women committed to authentic leadership, purposeful living and positive transformation in their families, careers, businesses and communities.
Over the course of the two-day event, participants will engage in keynote addresses, panel discussions and practical learning sessions designed to expand perspectives, deepen self-awareness and equip women with practical tools for personal and professional growth.
Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Julia Oku Jacks, said the conference continues to evolve because of the increasing need to equip women with the capacity to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“Women today are navigating unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented challenges. More than ever before, they need clarity, community, capacity and confidence. UPYOUWOMEN Conference 2026 has been intentionally designed to provide all four. This year’s theme is a call to alignment, a call for women to reconnect with purpose and position themselves for lasting impact,” she said.
The conference will feature an array of distinguished speakers, including Amb. Khadijah Okunnu, Prof. Joy Ada Onyesoh, Alibaba Akpobome, Michelle McKinney Hammond, ‘Seyi Jolayemi (SDJ), Dr. Eden A. Onwuka, Iquo Ukoh, Dr. Ronke Posh Adeniyi, Karen Ifeoma Ubani-Alli, Dr. Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi, Obinna Onunkwo and Dr. Nike Folagbade.
The speakers are expected to lead conversations on leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience, emotional wellbeing, innovation, faith, economic empowerment, purpose discovery and the future of work, while providing practical insights to help participants maximise their personal and professional potential.
Convener of the conference, Ezinne Kufre-Ekanem, said the central mission of the event is to help women gain clarity about their identity, purpose and future.
“We are gathering women into clarity. Clarity about who they are. Clarity about what matters. Clarity about their purpose. Clarity about their next step. When a woman gains clarity, she becomes aligned. When she becomes aligned, she becomes unstoppable. UPYOUWOMEN Conference 2026 is designed to help women move from confusion to clarity, from potential to purpose, and from intention to impact,” Kufre-Ekanem said.
One of the major highlights of the conference is a strategic collaboration with the MTN Foundation, which organisers say extends beyond sponsoring the event to investing in the future of women. Through the partnership, participants will gain free access to the MTN Skills Academy, a digital learning platform powered by Coursera, offering globally recognised courses and certifications.
The learning platform will provide participants with opportunities to develop future-ready skills in areas including Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Software Development, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Employability Skills and other competencies required in the evolving world of work. Organisers said participants will be able to learn at their own pace while earning certifications that could enhance their careers and entrepreneurial prospects.
Beyond the conference sessions, the event will also feature an exhibition and marketplace where women-led businesses, organisations and development partners will showcase products, services and innovations while connecting with professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and other decision-makers.
The organisers expressed appreciation to MTN Foundation and other sponsors, including Stanbic IBTC, Three Crowns Milk, Rite Foods and additional partners supporting the initiative. They also invited organisations, brands and development agencies interested in promoting women’s advancement to participate as exhibitors, sponsors and strategic partners.
Registration for the paid conference is currently open, with the Early Bird registration window closing on July 15, 2026. Interested participants can register, explore exhibition opportunities and obtain additional information through the conference website http://www.upyouconferences.com as organisers prepare to welcome thousands of women seeking purpose, leadership development and lasting impact.