The University of Benin’s main auditorium was full of energy today as scholars, students, and advocates gathered for the Gender and Cultural Practices Conference.
The event opened with a keynote address from Professor Edoba Omoregie SAN, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin. He set the tone by emphasising the university’s role in fostering critical conversations around gender, tradition, and social progress in Nigeria.
Professor Lucy Okukpon, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies, followed with an insightful speech on how academic research can bridge the gap between cultural heritage and gender equity. She highlighted ongoing projects at the Centre aimed at documenting and reshaping harmful practices through education and dialogue.
The panel session brought diverse perspectives to the floor, moderated with contributions from students and faculty. The discussion was candid, tackling topics from customary law to representation in leadership, with a clear focus on solutions rooted in both respect for culture and human dignity.
Esosa Aihie, Founder of Adesuwa Africa, represented by Dr Sola Okunkpolor closed the speaking segment with a powerful talk on grassroots advocacy and storytelling as tools for cultural change. Her work with women and girls across Edo State gave the audience practical examples of impact beyond the classroom.
The conference also featured a lively Q&A session, where students engaged directly with the speakers on real-world challenges and policy ideas. To wrap up, the “fastest fingers” quiz kept the mood light, with prizes awarded to students who showed sharp recall of the day’s key points.
It was a day of honest conversation, academic rigor, and community engagement – exactly the kind of dialogue needed to move the needle on gender and culture in Nigeria.
With speakers tackling both tradition and change, what’s one cultural practice you think needs more open discussion on campus?
