Held at Mr Panther, Victoria Island, the luncheon was designed as a strategic convening, focused on power, collaboration, and long-term cultural impact.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Deola Art Alade, co-founder of Livespot360 and serial entrepreneur redefining the African creative and entertainment landscape, hosted the Women Driving Culture Luncheon, an intimate gathering that brought together some of Nigeria’s most influential women shaping the country’s cultural, creative, and consumer economy. Held at Mr Panther, Victoria Island, the luncheon was designed as a strategic convening, focused on power, collaboration, and long-term cultural impact.
The luncheon convened leaders across film, fashion, beauty, media, tech, and public policy, including: Lisa Folawiyo, fashion designer and founder, Lisa Folawiyo; Toke Benson‑Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture; Titi Ogufere, founder, Design Week Lagos; Sasha P, pioneer Nigerian rapper; Korty Eniola, YouTuber and filmmaker; Ruth Kadiri, actor, filmmaker and digital content powerhouse; Funmbi Ogunbanwo, filmmaker and co-founder, Fatherland Productions; Blossom Maduafokwa, editor at Nataal and Grammys, and much more.
Designed to foster real exchange, discussions centred on access to capital, authorship in African storytelling, cross-industry collaboration, and how women can collectively influence policy, platforms, and pipelines within Nigeria’s creative economy, with the goal of furthering opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
Speaking at the luncheon, Deola Art Alade underscored the intent behind the gathering: “When women are intentional about lifting other women, the impact goes far beyond one person. We change rooms, we change systems, we shape what’s possible for the next generation. Today is a celebration, but it’s also an invitation to connect, to share and to leave here thinking about who you can move forward”.
The event reinforced a growing shift toward intentional female-led power circles within Africa’s creative industries, positioning the gathering as not just a celebration but a strategic alignment of influence and vision. The Women Driving Culture Luncheon was supported by Livespot360, Moet & Chandon, M·A·C Cosmetics, and Estée Lauder, whose involvement reflects their continued investment in women-led leadership and cultural impact across the continent.