Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and his Ekiti State counterpart, Biodun Oyebanji, are expected as special guests of honour at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 26th National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).
Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, who is the
chairman of COWLSO, disclosed this during a press conference at Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, ahead of the 26th National Women Conference, Themed: “Anchored For Purpose: Be The Blueprint.”
She said that 2026 National Women Conference will hold from Monday, October 26th, to Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. daily at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The conference, Dr. Sanwo-Olu noted, would be conducted in a hybrid format, providing opportunities for both physical and virtual participation, adding: “Physical attendance is N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only, with space for 3,000 participants, while virtual participation is N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only, with no limit on the number of participants.
“Registration commenced on 15th September 2026 and will close on 15th October 2026. Interested participants are expected to register online through the official conference website, www.cowlso2026nwc.org, by following the registration process provided on the platform.”
The Lagos State First Lady disclosed that “late registration for physical participation will commence on 24th October 2026 and will attract an additional fee of N15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Naira) only. Due to limited physical capacity, only five participants are expected from each MDA, while virtual participation remains unlimited.”
According to Dr. Sanwo-Olu, the presence of the distinguished leaders, alongside other important personalities expected at the conference, is not only symbolic of national unity but also underscores the growing recognition of COWLSO as a platform contributing to the development, empowerment and advancement of women across the federation.
She added that the theme ,”speaks directly to the responsibility that comes with influence, opportunity and leadership. It challenges us to look beyond what we can achieve for ourselves and consider the footprints we are leaving behind in our families, workplaces, communities and society. It is a call to live with purpose, make meaningful contributions and ensure that our presence creates value that can outlive us.”
The COWLSO chairman said that the Pre-Conference Walk, themed: “Blueprint in Motion: From Vision to Action,” will take participants through important locations across Lagos Island, connecting conversation about purpose and legacy with the history, culture, institutions and development of Lagos.
The route, she said, will include Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), the National Museum, the Central Mosque, the JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Tinubu Square, the MUSON Centre, Eko Atlantic, Water House, Kakawa, and the Palace of the Oba of Lagos.”
She stated that beyond being a physical walk, the “activity is intended as a journey through the past, present and future of Lagos. It reminds us that every generation inherits a blueprint and has a responsibility to build upon it and add something meaningful for the generations coming behind.
She added that some prominent Lagos senior ladies including Mrs. A.Y Oyediran Kakawa, Erelu Dosumu and Mrs.Bintu Tinubu, would be visited by the COWLSO.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu said that the Awareness Walk for the conference, which will take place on Saturday, 10th October, 2026, “will provide another opportunity to take the message of the National Women Conference beyond the conference venue and into the wider community, while creating greater awareness around the issues and conversations that the Conference seeks to advance.”
“As a highlight of the three-day conference, the programme will feature an opening ceremony and keynote lectures on day one, followed by further lectures and presentations on day two, which will also feature the traditional COWLSO Gala Night. The final day will be devoted to the closing ceremony, where we will reflect on the lessons, conversations and commitments emerging from the Conference.
“We are expecting the participation of women from different sectors and walks of life, including government officials, policymakers, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, development practitioners, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organisations, traditional and community leaders, young women, women’s groups and other stakeholders.
“We are also expecting distinguished guests and speakers whose experience and expertise will enrich the conversations around this year’s theme. Importantly, the hybrid format will enable women and other interested participants who are unable to attend physically to join the Conference virtually from different locations.”
The COWLSO chairman added: “This approach reflects our commitment to making the National Women Conference as inclusive and accessible as possible, ensuring that geography or physical limitations do not prevent interested participants from being part of the conversations.”
She said that the National Women Conference has evolved into a platform for knowledge, empowerment, reflection, networking and inspiration, adding that “Each edition provides an opportunity for us to examine issues that affect women, families and communities, while encouraging women to take purposeful steps towards creating positive change.”
