Ibukun Bankole, Head of Content at Techpression Media, has emerged from a highly competitive selection process to earn a coveted place in the 2025 WIN-with-WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) mentoring programme, underscoring her exceptional talent and commitment to advancing women’s leadership in Nigeria.
Ms Bankole is among a select group of professionals shortlisted for the WIN 2 stream, a structured, year-long mentoring programme that pairs mentees with high-profile mentors.
The programme includes leadership seminars, book reviews, career-building workshops, peer-to-peer learning and a graduation ceremony with certification upon completion.
At the induction ceremony held on Saturday, July 26, participants were officially welcomed and onboarded into the programme. They were also briefed on the series of sessions and activities that will span the one-year mentoring cycle.
A call to lead with intention, values, and impact
Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola, congratulated the new mentees while charging them to be intentional about the journey.
“The WIN programme is designed to give you knowledge and renewed insight into your career,” she said. “We firmly believe that when women rise, societies are transformed and prosper. This is about cultivating a collective of women who lead with values and integrity and want to make a difference in the world.”
She urged the mentees to fully immerse themselves in the process.
“You have to be willing to touch lives and make an impact. It will challenge assumptions and expand your thinking. But it requires you to show up. Absorb it, internalise it, integrate the learnings into your plans. Only you can do that,” she said. “You are not just mentees. You are already leaders with so much to contribute.”
Speaking at the induction, Funke Amobi, a WISCAR Advisory Board Member and Deputy Head of Operations at Stanbic IBTC Bank, encouraged mentees to be proactive.
“Your journey begins with understanding your mentor. What you put into it is what you get out of it,” she advised. “Research your mentors — their values and experiences — and see how they align with your career goals.”
She also outlined key tips for succeeding in the programme: “Be a good learner. Be observant. Be flexible with your time. Be open and eager to learn. Be ready to start, stop and continue. Understand the mentoring model and tools provided.”
She reminded mentees that mentors are experienced individuals who are of clear advantage to you. “They’ll give feedback, offer guidance and solutions, and support you through the journey,” she said.
Past lessons and encouragement for the new cohort
Past WIN mentee, Saffiya Mohammed, reflected on her experience in the programme: “Once you start to grow in one line, you begin to improve in your personal life, in your health. You’re living beyond your career and having a holistic life. I’m happy to be on this journey. Give it your best and be very intentional — you’re going to come back to give thanks.”
In a word of encouragement, WIN mentor and Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at FrieslandCampina, Oreoluwa Famurewa, advised mentees to focus on their goals.
“It’s about what you want. You want something, go for it and get it. When you believe in something, focus on it and you’ll get it,” she said. “Believe in yourself. What’s important is that you are taking charge of life. I wish you the best and I’m looking forward to the programme.”
The WIN-with-WISCAR mentoring programme continues to be a key platform for building leadership pipelines for women professionals across Nigeria