Though Africa Day was on the 25th of May, it was interesting to read what the Minister of Women Affairs, Queen consort of Warri Kingdom, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, an award-winning medical professional and a young, spoken word poet had to say about Africa. Collated by KEMI AJUMOBI, it makes an enlightening read. Excerpts
1. H.E. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
The Honourable Minister Of Women Affairs
Africa Day is more than just the name, it is about togetherness and celebrating our rich culture as Africans. May 25th each year, reminds us to reminisce about our collective history, ambitions and certainly our obligations especially as women in contributing to Africa’s future.
I see Africa Day beyond a day to celebrate, it is a call to take decisive steps towards the progress of our great continent, to acknowledge how far we have come, remember where we are coming from and to be optimistic about our tomorrow.
We cannot talk about Africa without mentioning her challenges and victories, and right there in the midst of it all lies the inspirational stories of women. Women who have been the force behind communities and nationalities, coming face to face with adversities and leading the course for positive change.
We must recognise the obstacles women face across Africa, from gender based violence, little or no access to quality education, and so on. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge and commend women around Africa who have shattered the proverbial “glass ceiling” and paved the way for future generations.
We must work towards having an Africa where more women are involved in leadership and progress. Where they can do greater things for the betterment of our continent—a beautiful place where every woman and girl can thrive.
Putting women and children at the centre of national development is important to our continent. We also commit to this in Nigeria as a whole and specifically as the Ministry of Women Affairs. Our commitment to the total wellbeing and welfare of children, women and the vulnerable is key to us. As I champion this in Nigeria, I wish the same for our sister African countries as we celebrate Africa in 2025 and beyond.
Happy Africa Day!
In unity and strength, we shall rise!
2. HRM Olori Atuwatse III
Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
Across Africa, women are architecting a new model of leadership — one defined by collaboration, resilience, and generational impact. Through deliberate allyship and investment in the success of others, they are expanding the frontiers of opportunity and shaping a future rooted in shared strength.
Across sectors and societies, women are forging alliances, building ecosystems, and creating pathways that extend opportunity beyond themselves. This is not a trend. It is a transformation — deliberate, generational, and deeply strategic.
At the heart of this movement are the women who have made empowerment their life’s work — women who understand that leadership is measured not by personal ascent, but by collective advancement. Their consistent efforts have dismantled barriers, expanded access, and redefined leadership for a new era: collaborative, enduring, and inclusive.
Africa’s future will be shaped by networks of women who lead with intention, ally with purpose, and invest in the leadership journeys of others. In every country, in every sector, the evidence is clear: when women empower each other, institutions are stronger, communities are more resilient, and nations are better positioned to thrive on the global stage.
This is the leadership Africa must now champion: leadership that sees legacy not as individual achievement, but as the elevation of many. Leadership that understands that the ascent of one strengthens the future of all.
To the women who have chosen to lead, to ally, and to lift others: we honour you. Your work is not peripheral to Africa’s future; it is foundational to its rise.
Today, I’m not just celebrating a continent, I’m celebrating a force of nature.
Africa is not just land, it’s a heartbeat.
A rhythm so strong that even the world’s loudest headlines can’t drown it out.
From Lagos to Nairobi, Accra to Addis, Jo’burg to Cairo, we carry the weight of history and the wings of possibility.
It’s the sound of women entrepreneurs rising despite every “no.”
It’s the laughter of children whose futures refuse to be dimmed.
It’s the resilience of leaders, dreamers, builders, and creators who carry centuries of wisdom and the audacity to innovate.
And me?
I stand here as an African woman, a psychiatrist, a founder, a mental health advocate, not because the road is smooth, but because the road is OURS.
Yes, we’ve got challenges.
(Plenty — let’s not even start with the electricity situation…)
But you know what we’ve got more of? Creativity. Courage. Community.
And a laugh that will humble even the toughest season.
Today, I raise a toast: To every African woman rewriting the rules.
To every African man lifting others as he climbs.
To every young person who dares to dream beyond borders.
Africa, we are not “emerging.” We are already here.
And we are unapologetically becoming.
So here’s your gentle reminder:
Your identity is not limited by headlines or hashtags.
You are part of a continent bursting with possibility.
Your mental health, your dreams, your voice — they MATTER.
Africa, we rise. Not tomorrow. Not “someday.” NOW.
Happy Africa Day, family!
Let’s rise, build, and dance , because no one throws a party like Africa.
Today, I challenge you:
Share ONE way you’re using your gifts to build Africa’s future, whether it’s in your home, your business, your art, or your community.
3. Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations & Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.
Africa is more than a continent, it is home to me. It’s the people, it’s our land, it’s our culture, the young people of Africa, they are the greatest cohort. We need their voice, their courage, their entrepreneurship, we need them to engage and be this intergenerational co-creation of their future, a future of possibilities. The future that is really talking about people’s growth, a life of dignity, a future which is not tomorrow, it’s today.
On Africa Day, I celebrate a generation shaping their future today. Together, we’re advancing the SDGs and the Agenda 2063-for every African.
4. Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri (Dr.May)
Consultant Neuro – Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Coach
I’m not just celebrating a continent, I’m celebrating a force of nature.
Africa is not just land, it’s a heartbeat. a rhythm so strong that even the world’s loudest headlines can’t drown it out.
From Lagos to Nairobi, Accra to Addis, Jo’burg to Cairo, we carry the weight of history and the wings of possibility.
It’s the sound of women entrepreneurs rising despite every “No.”
It’s the laughter of children whose futures refuse to be dimmed.
It’s the resilience of leaders, dreamers, builders, and creators who carry centuries of wisdom and the audacity to innovate.
And me?
I stand here as an African woman, a psychiatrist, a founder, a mental health advocate,
Not because the road is smooth, but because the road is OURS.
Yes, we’ve got challenges.
(Plenty — let’s not even start with the electricity situation…)
But you know what we’ve got more of? Creativity, courage and community.
And a laugh that will humble even the toughest season.
Today, I raise a toast:
To every African woman rewriting the rules.
To every African man lifting others as he climbs.
To every young person who dares to dream beyond borders.
Africa, we are not “emerging” we are already here
And we are unapologetically becoming.
So, here’s your gentle reminder:
Your identity is not limited by headlines or hashtags.
You are part of a continent bursting with possibility.
Your mental health, your dreams, your voice — they MATTER.
Africa, we rise. Not tomorrow. Not “someday” NOW!
Happy Africa Day, family!
Let’s rise, build, and dance, because no one throws a party like Africa.
5. Ibukun Ajagbe (Ibquake) spoken word poet
They say Africa is risk, interesting, but stay with me
You mean Lagos? Where fintech rises before the sun?
Or Jo’burg? Where Charles Lebrun dey learn work?
Or Dakar? Where rhythm breaks the rules
Risk? No! This is return, return on belief
On the girl in Enugu sketching dreams with charcoal
On the boy in Soweto coding futures from a shared laptop
And A Nigerian musician making dreams from a stolen laptop
On the market woman in Kumasi who knows profit without spreadsheets
On justice for once, we know how to build with bruises
Remix scarcity into rhythm,
We stretch coins into companies, our sweat, blood and bodies
Will take what the world throws away and say, not so fast Abiku, we reinvent!
You still don’t get it?
This is not aid, this is alignment
You don’t donate to us, you partner or you get left behind
Because the continent moves, quietly, powerfully, unapologetically
So, your hesitation is your loss, because what we call hustle
You call innovation twenty-years later
We are not waiting for green lights, we are building roads on red
We are not fragile, we are antifragile
Our wounds became weapons, our delays became data
Our waiting made us wise.
Africa doesn’t need your charity, Africa is your clarity
On where the future breathes, on where the world resets
On where value multiplies like cassava after rain
So, if you fear risk, don’t come
But if you are looking for a return on imagination, on resilience, on tomorrow, Welcome!
Welcome to Africa!
