By Jimoh Babatunde

As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 under the theme “Give To Gain,” hospitality executive Deborah Olorundare, MBA, says the message is both personal and professional: “When we give respect, opportunity, mentorship and visibility, we all gain a more equitable and prosperous society.”
Olorundare, Director of Conference and Events at Abuja Continental Hotel, is one of the driving forces positioning the property as Abuja’s leading Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination. With over two decades in the hospitality industry and experience across global brands including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group and Le Méridien, she brings both international exposure and local insight to her role.
A member of SKAL International, and an alumna of Adekunle Ajasin University (MBA) and Yaba College of Technology (Higher National Diploma in Hospitality Management), Olorundare has built a career around one core belief: events are powerful catalysts for change.
Turning Celebration into Strategy
For Olorundare, International Women’s Day is more than a ceremonial observance. It is a call to embed equity into everyday business operations.
“In the workplace, the most meaningful celebration goes beyond one day,” she says. “It means equal access to leadership pipelines, pay parity, and platforms where women’s voices shape decisions.”
At Abuja Continental Hotel, that philosophy translates into action. The hotel will host a full day of activities on March 8, including a high-level panel discussion on women’s leadership in hospitality, a mentorship speed-networking session pairing emerging female talent with senior leaders, and a women’s leadership luncheon and awards ceremony.
Olorundare says she is particularly excited about the mentorship session. “Watching seasoned professionals give their time, knowledge and networks to the next generation is exactly what the theme is about. It always leaves me inspired.”
Building a Culture of Inclusion
Beyond IWD, the hotel has implemented structured policies to promote gender equality. These include mentorship and sponsorship programmes for high-potential women, flexible working arrangements, enhanced maternity and paternity support, mental health awareness training, and a zero-tolerance policy on harassment with clear reporting mechanisms.
According to her, the impact of these initiatives is tangible. “Knowing that leadership actively champions gender equality makes me feel genuinely valued and supported. That sense of belonging translates directly into higher motivation, creativity and loyalty.”
She notes that women currently occupy key leadership roles across departments at the hotel, describing the approach as “strategic and cultural, not tokenism.”
Breaking Barriers in Hospitality
While acknowledging progress, Olorundare admits that women in hospitality still face challenges — particularly irregular work hours that strain work-life balance, unconscious bias in promotion decisions, and limited access to high-visibility assignments.
Her solution is deliberate intervention: transparent succession planning, flexible leadership pathways, and the intentional assignment of major events to emerging female leaders to build capacity and visibility.
Under her leadership, the Conference and Events division has hosted landmark international summits and high-profile corporate gatherings, significantly boosting the hotel’s reputation and revenue. She also spearheaded sustainable event practices and inclusive programming, earning industry recognition and strengthening Abuja Continental’s brand within West Africa’s competitive MICE market.
Lifting as We Climb
Looking ahead, Olorundare advocates the creation of a formal “Women in Hospitality Circle” within the hotel — a quarterly forum for peer support, cross-departmental knowledge exchange and collective goal-setting.
“The simplest yet most powerful act is consistent advocacy — amplifying each other’s achievements, sharing opportunities and offering honest mentorship,” she says.
Her broader aspiration is ambitious: to see women occupy at least 50 per cent of executive leadership positions across African hospitality within the next decade.
For Olorundare, the path forward is clear. “Abuja Continental can — and is already — playing a pivotal role by becoming a model employer, sharing best practices with industry peers and consistently giving platforms, resources and visibility to women.”
As International Women’s Day 2026 unfolds, her message resonates beyond the hotel’s conference halls: when women give, the industry gains — stronger leadership, brighter innovation and a more inclusive future for tourism in Nigeria and beyond.