International Womens Day 2024

To commemorate International Women’s Day, we hosted a powerful and insightful talk focused on “Women in the Urban Scene of Nigeria.” The session brought together diverse voices from across creative, cultural, and entrepreneurial sectors to celebrate the impact, resilience, and rising influence of women shaping Nigeria’s urban landscape.

Your music carries a strong, confident energy—what role do you think confidence plays in women breaking barriers?

Confidence is very important, if not the most important thing. Of course you must be humble, of course you must be smart, of course you must be tactical, butYou also must be very confident because there's so many limitations. Societal limitations, limitations in policy when it comes to governments, when it comes to women policy, limitations and sometimes family settings. So there's so much limitations, the only thing that you can have to break through is confidence. Where do you get that confidence from? I get that confidence from God and the love that is poured into me by my surroundings.

Which female artists, past or present, inspire you the most, and why?

Honestly, I used to have particular people that I would stood out,but at this point in my life, I would definitely say every female artist past and present inspires me because it's not easy to do what we do, to come out here and show up every day and then also show up in the light of excellence, maintain business ethics, you know, stay in the know, be amongst the competition. I'm talking on every level. So yeah, I would definitely like to highlight a couple of female artists: Nicki Minaj because she's absolutely amazing, she's great.  Beyonce, Toni Braxton, Lil Sim, that was a very big part of my motivation to actually put out music, putout music independently, to shout out. So yeah, Little Sim for sure. 

If you could collaborate with any powerful woman in music—globally or locally—who would it be and why?

I would definitely love to collab locally and Internationally, when you say locally, I'm assuming Nigeria as well. When it's Nigeria, I would love, love, love to collaborate with: Ninola, Tiwa Savage, Arya starr And I think they're really great. I think I love what they do. Honestly, I'm very greedy. All the women out there, I would love to collaborate with them. Globally, for sure,Little Sims, Dolce. There are a couple of people that I have my eyes out for. I definitely would love to collaborate with: Lola Young, Kool & The Gang, which is an amazing artist, amazing vocalist and a power horse when it comes to blending styles together.

Having transitioned from a legal career to music, how did you find the confidence to take charge of your life and pursue your passion? What advice would you give to women who are afraid to switch careers and step into the unknown?

Honestly it wasn’t the easiest thing to have to transition, all i can say is familiarize yourself very well with what you’re about to transition into. It’s okay to learn along the way but try as much as possible to familiarize yourself and get much information. Put your ears down, know who to be around and who not to be around, who to do business with and not. Most importantly stay humble, very prayerful, have things you do that interest you as a person.  Have a very strong support system, someone that has your back and you can fall back on. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “accelerate action” . As an “action babe” as you fondly call yourself how important is taking action in accelerating change for women

Yeah you already know i’m an action babe, it’s so important, the main reason why i call myself an action babe is cause you have all these ideas, dreams and thoughts and you need to achieve them, you need to do it. You need to always be in motion, you need to always have something running as a woman because essentially the world is so unfair and the only way to accelerate change is in numbers, the more women we urge to accelerate action, to be positive and proactive about going out there, showing up and showing empathy to other women and creating platforms and supporting other women. When we have things like that accelerating change for women is just a priority, something you work on everyday being conscious of.

If you could give every woman just one styling tip that instantly boosts confidence, what would it be?

Wear whatever makes you comfortable, when you’re comfortable, you’re confident.

Women in fashion have been breaking barriers and redefining the industry for years. Who’s a female designer, stylist, or creative that you think deserves all her flowers right now?

⁠@bbaahhttt she’s a great fashion creative that just gets it and deserves her flowers

Your styling always feels so effortless but still intentional. What’s your secret sauce—what’s the one thing you always keep in mind when putting a look together?

Thank you! I wouldn’t call it a secret sauce, but when putting a look together, I focus on balancing my creative vision with my client’s personal style. The end result is a reflection of their unique flair, infused with my touch. That’s where the intentionality comes in.

The world is always telling women what to wear and how to look. How do you use your work to help women embrace their personal style with confidence?

⁠I prioritize listening to my clients and ensuring they feel comfortable and confident in what they wear. I also check in with them throughout the process, to make sure they are comfortable embracing their style at that very moment. 

Your eye for fashion is always on point! What’s been inspiring you lately—any unexpected sources of creativity?

⁠Thank you! Genuinely, I’d say God is the source of my creativity. I get inspired by random things around but most of my creative ideas come from God.

 

We all have that one woman(real or fictional) who just gets us. Who’s that for you? Someone whose story or work has really shaped the way you see filmmaking?

For me, it is two women, one alive and one who lived. First, my mom. From when I started telling myself the truth, she was the first woman that truly listened. She would clear me if I did anyhow, if I said anything, and sometimes just listen, not to respond, but to let me fill the blank spaces. By talking, I figure things out, and I believe that in talking to my mom, I have learned to do that even more. She would not just give you answers, sometimes she would let you find them yourself.

Then there is the Blessed Mary, my namesake. Just knowing she existed and that I carry her name has always meant a lot to me. It is not about their work but their actions, how they move through life and the impact they have had on me. They have shaped how I see the world, my personal life, and my work in ways I am still discovering.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten from another woman in the industry? Like, something that really stuck with you and still guides you today.

Nothing specific comes to mind, but the way women give advice and show up sticks with me. Their words, even simple ones like “It’s going to be fine” or “We will figure it out,” feel real and reassuring. On set, I have had female friends step in just because I asked, handling things so well that I have had to ask if they had done them before. Even in silence, their presence feels like support.

They call me out when I am slacking, but in a way that teaches me without saying it outright. Their actions speak just as much as their words.

Speaking of women lifting women, tell me about a time another woman in the industry really showed up for you. Maybe helped you out, gave you a push, or just reminded you that you’ve got this?

It is hard to pick just one time because, for me, it has been every time. During a period of back-to-back short films, my friends, especially the women, always showed up. They would style, act, do makeup, handle production, and even use their own resources without hesitation.

I remember one production where a friend, the production manager, also handled makeup and took on feeding the crew. When we realized we did not have enough money for catering, she suggested we buy ingredients and cook ourselves. She took charge, and that day, people ate better than when we had hired a caterer.

Beyond work, these women have been there in every way. They stay up with me when I work overnight, remind me when to rest, call me out when needed, and push me forward. We talk, laugh, cry, pray, and check in on each other. They lift me just by being there, making it clear that we are in this together.

If you could change just one thing in the film industry to make life easier for women, what would it be? Like, what’s that one small but powerful shift that could really make a difference?

If I could change one thing, it would be sexual harassment. It is disgusting, and the worst part is how people have learned to tolerate it. Women are forced to walk on eggshells, afraid to speak up because nothing really changes.

If I had my way, harassers would be marked for life. Maybe a big sign on their forehead, maybe flashing lights, something to make sure everyone sees them for what they are.

The last thing women need is sexual harassment slowing them down. Fix that and maybe we can all focus on the work that actually matters.

Now, if you had to pick just one scene from everything you’ve directed that makes you the proudest, which one is it? And why does it hold that special place for you?

Every project I have worked on with the right people feels special. And by right people, I mean those who give their all, making the work stronger and eventually making everyone look good in the process.

The best moments are when the whole team is so immersed that it does not feel like just another job. It feels like our project, our baby. When the energy is right and we are creating something together, that is what makes me proud. Any scene that comes out of that is my favourite.

 

Let’s talk about inspiration. Who’s a woman—past or present—whose style or energy has influenced you the most? And if you could raid her closet, what’s the first thing you’re grabbing?

Honestly style wise I would say I inspire myself and I am as well a product of my exposure to different vibes, in-person and online. As for energy…I consume a lot of neo-soul which helps me stay grounded and in my body. If I were to raid anyone’s closet it’ll probably be my friend Ameera and I’m grabbing her boots xx. --Toni

ouu that’s definitely rihanna herself and i’m coming for them coats and bagssss. --Ar4

I honestly can only think of 1 person to fit this description and it’s my mum (ireti Doyle). She’s my OG alte baddie and I think I’d go for her pants first.  --Jemile

Fashion is so much more than just clothes—it’s a community. Can you share a moment in your career where another woman’s support really made a difference for you?

My friends Ara and Jem. We rise by lifting others no? My friends and I constantly try to pull out the most creative sides of ourselves at every point in time --Toni

brooo omg okay you’re gonna love this one. So I went to perform at a lil cute ting like i usually do. You know when you’re upcoming you do shows to introduce people to your music, so imagine my shock when the dj presses play and these two gorgeous girls start singing my lyrics word for word no skips😭😭 i was in awe and was overwhelmed with joy cause no way. Those two turned out to be the rascals that you all know as toni and jemiyo and i can say for a fact that they still are exactly the same as ever if not even more supportive and that constantly speaks out to me. --Ar4

One random summer night, I went out to a house party. I had no idea what was going to come of the night but I ended up meeting lifesize teddy, a female rapper, and honestly there’s not many of us out here haha! I’m a very outgoing person so it wasn’t difficult for me to approach her and tell her how I felt. She had the sweetest most accepting soul, followed me back on the spot and still engages with my content till today!  --Jemile

The world is always telling women what to wear and how to look. How do you use your work to help women embrace their personal style with confidence?

Gosh! I wear what I believe looks good on me and I look good in regardless of how people perceive me and I can understand it’s really hard in Nigeria because of people’s closed-mindedness but if people aren’t scorning at some of your fashion decisions…you never start. There have been “free-spirited fashion avatars” in the past and I’m happy I get to carry that on and hopefully more women especially in Nigeria realize they can and should wear whatever makes them feel pretty cuz they deserve to. The world is always going to want you to conform to ‘normalcy’ and you end up being someone no one really remembers, only when you DO different you are TREATED different. -- Toni

Girl wear whatever you wanna wear and wear it proudly. people will stare, people will talk but that’s only because you’re cool as hell and they can’t do what you’re doing. This is where confidence comes in because you have to strut on the haters and let them know that you do not care what they think.  -- Ar4

Wear your clothes on your body don’t let them wear you. If you have to cut, tie, piece together, sew or tac, hide or make any changes to a piece of clothing to accentuate your best features, do it. They are just fabric lol I find people get so attached to clothes they can’t even alter it to better fit their body.  -- Jemile

Women in fashion have been breaking barriers and redefining the industry for years. Who’s a female designer, stylist, or creative that you think deserves all her flowers right now?

Unexpected sources of inspiration hmmm; recently I’ve been inspired funnily enough by my cat. When I dress up I tend to embody the ‘cat mom’ persona. Another thing that influences my fashion choices recently is my art. I believe I’m not just an artist that paints on canvas, I portray ‘art’ in how I present myself too because I am the canvas and my clothes/accessories are my artistic medium. I paint different things everytime, no piece is the same and I carry that on to my style, I dress how I feel everyday. Today I give you a biker core, tomorrow you get a cartoon character core. There’s too many branches of fashion to just be one thing. -- Toni

I draw inspiration from everything. life gives you so much you could work with, everywhere you go there’s always something that catches your eye, energies that you’re attracted to and vice versa. you just have to be open minded and accepting and also be yourself and have a lot of fun with it too. --Ar4

OBEHI, SENAMI, WANDE ESAN, KILENTAR (a uk based Nigerian clothing brand) yeah I love these people and everything they do haha! -- Jemile