The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, has strengthened its engagement with global conversations on women’s leadership, gender-responsive policies and institutional transformation through its participation in the Women in Leadership International Conference held at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, on 10–11 September 2026.
The Centre Leader, Centre of Excellence for Gender at AUST, Ms. Lizzy Asomugha, participated in the international conference, which brought together scholars, institutional leaders, researchers and gender advocates from leading universities and organisations across the world.
The conference provided a platform for participants to exchange research, share institutional experiences and explore opportunities for international collaboration aimed at advancing women’s leadership and promoting more inclusive institutions.
keynote address delivered by Professor Rohini Pande, Henry J. Heinz II Professor of Economics at Yale University. Her address provided an important perspective on the role of research, institutions and evidence-based approaches in advancing women’s participation in decision making .The event also featured distinguished participants from institutions including LSE, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Yale University, among others.
Representing AUST, the Centre Leader, Ms. Lizzy, presented a research paper titled, “Strengthening the Academic Leadership Pipeline for Women: A Review of Institutional Policies and Interventions in Nigerian Universities.”
The presentation examined institutional policies and interventions that can support women’s participation and progression into leadership positions within Nigerian universities. It also provided an opportunity to bring perspectives from the Nigerian higher education sector into wider international discussions on gender equity, academic leadership and institutional transformation.
Speaking on the significance of the participation, Ms. Lizzy noted that the conference offered more than an opportunity for professional development, describing it as a platform for building international partnerships, strengthening networks, sharing scholarship and positioning AUST within global conversations on women’s leadership and gender-responsive institutional development.
The engagement also provided opportunities to exchange ideas and explore areas of potential collaboration with scholars and institutions working on related issues across different regions.
The conference further reinforced the importance of sustained research and deliberate institutional action in creating equitable pathways for women to participate, lead and thrive within higher education and other sectors.
The AUST Centre of Excellence for Gender continues to promote research, knowledge exchange and initiatives that contribute to gender-responsive policies and inclusive institutional practices.
The Centre’s participation at the LSE conference reflects AUST’s broader commitment to strengthening international academic engagement, advancing research and contributing Nigerian perspectives to global conversations on leadership, gender equity and sustainable institutional development.