On Friday, March 21st, an exclusive dinner brought together a group of women working in media, public relations, and journalism in Lagos, Nigeria. Hosted by Lady Kay, a multimedia journalist and startup storyteller, the event was supported by a micro-grant from the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, alongside Tech4Dev, a non-profit social enterprise, and the Wetech Women Foundation, a women-led non-profit community.
The gathering hosted over twenty women working at the intersection of technology and business within media, journalism, and PR roles. Representatives from the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello and Oyindamola Eyitayo, attended, as did Isioma Utomi of Women Who Launch.
Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem
Women working in journalism, PR, and reporting play a crucial role in shaping narratives around technology and business in Africa, a role that is often overlooked. Despite the male-dominated nature of the tech and business sectors, a noticeable gap exists in the number of media publications and PR agencies hiring women reporters and writers to cover the industry and highlight the achievements of female entrepreneurs, business leaders, and founders.
Women in these fields often encounter unique challenges, including limited access to key decision-makers and industry biases that affect storytelling. This private gathering provided an invaluable opportunity for these women to connect, share experiences, and explore strategies to enhance visibility, improve access, and increase their impact.
Honest Conversations and Open Discussions
The event was not solely a networking opportunity but a forum for open discussion about the real challenges faced within the industry. Lady Kay initiated the evening with icebreakers, creating a comfortable environment where guests could speak freely, ask questions, and connect with each other.
The icebreaker session led to roundtable discussions on professional challenges, editorial practices, gender equality issues, and potential collaborations between technology and business journalists and PR professionals. Key topics included:
- The growing mistrust between tech journalists and founders, and ways to bridge this gap.
- The need for stronger relationships between female media professionals and female founders and entrepreneurs.
Participants also explored storytelling initiatives designed to increase the coverage of women entrepreneurs and executives, underscoring the link between visibility and opportunity.
A central theme of the evening was the importance of collaborative efforts. Many journalists departed with new contacts and a renewed commitment to working together on stories, PR opportunities, and media features.
The Path Forward
By the end of the dinner, a strong sense of solidarity had emerged, along with a shared purpose regarding business storytelling and career advancement. All attendees agreed that this event should be the start of a more robust network of women dedicated to positively influencing how technology and business are reported in Africa.
With the continued backing of organizations such as the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Tech4Dev, and the Wetech Women Foundation, gatherings like this are poised to create avenues for greater visibility, improved representation, and stronger industry bonds. As expressed by one attendee, “When we come together like this, we remind each other that we are not alone. And together, women can tell better stories about technology, business, and leadership.”
