No One Ignores Competence.

Ikanna Okim is an academic aficionado and dedicated legal practitioner with a passion for shaping the future of law and promoting sustainable economic development in Africa. She has nearly two years of experience in Mergers, Acquisitions, Private Equity Law, and Corporate/Commercial Disputes. 

Beyond her legal career, Ikanna is a dedicated advocate for girls and women. She actively promotes Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5 by leading campaigns and conversations against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Africa. She is also the founder of TELS-Q, an organization focused on reshaping legal education and providing mentorship to law students, also with the aim of influencing pro-legal education policies across the continent.

Academically, Ikanna has a track record of excellence. Having graduated with first-class honors in both her Bachelor's and Law School, she recently received the Oxford-Hackney BCL Graduate Scholarship to pursue the prestigious BCL (Bachelor of Civil Law) at the University of Oxford, one of the most competitive Master's programs in law globally. 

Ikanna’s outstanding achievements have earned her numerous recognitions, including The Future Award Africa 2022 and nominations for the 25 Under 25 Future Forward Female Award 2023 and Inspirational Woman of the Year at the 2024 Emerge Africa Awards, Top 50 Rising Motherland Mogul by SheLeadsAfrica, Trendsbee 40 under 40 High-impact Woman 2024.

What is a fun thing about you that most people don’t know?

I am very interested in music. I play the trumpet, and I’m learning to play the guitar. I can wake up any morning with a desire to learn a new instrument and just go ahead with it.

How do you prioritize your mental health in today’s fast-paced world while managing a demanding career and maintaining a work-life balance?

I’m a very happy person and always try to stay positive. This doesn’t mean I don’t face challenges, but I believe in looking inward rather than outward. You can’t control what happens, but you control how you react to those events. Focus on reflecting and finding joy inward.

As for work-life balance, it all comes down to intentionality. There’s a time for work and a time for play. I have a perspective on rest that’s rooted in my beliefs. God rested on the seventh day, and that’s recorded in scripture because it shows the importance of rest as part of work, not just a reward for it. Rest is essential for tackling your next task. Sacrificing it for work isn't productive; being well-rested enhances your effectiveness.  

Don’t miss out on learning new things or enjoying experiences. Whether trying to swim, hiking despite my fear of heights, or just enjoying a meal alone, remember to embrace life beyond your work. Life is good; make the most of it!

What small everyday actions can girls take to create positive changes in their lives and communities? 

You are a human being first, before anything else. Being a girl comes with its own challenges, especially in African societies, where gender influences how you are treated. Acknowledge your humanity and your responsibilities to your community. If you are passionate about something, find ways to contribute to that cause. If your strengths lie in tech or STEM, focus your efforts there. Being willing to take responsibility and give back is crucial; no strategy will be effective without that willingness. 

What advice would you give young women seeking their passion or purpose in life? What's one key factor that can help them achieve their full potential?

I am a person of faith. I believe that women should look to God to discover their unique purpose. Your unique expression would be revealed when you are in harmony with Him. 

Additionally, having mentors will have an immense impact in helping you reach your goals. Mentorship helps you avoid mistakes to a large extent. While perfection isn’t guaranteed, mentors provide insight and guidance from their experiences, making your journey easier. I run a mentorship network and have personally benefited from mentorship. Remember, your mentor doesn’t need to be a woman; anyone who aligns with your goals can be valuable. 

What is one book, film, or piece of media that has inspired you and that you'd recommend to girls everywhere?

I’d recommend ‘The Governor.’ It tells the fictional story of a female governor in Nigeria. The lead character is inspiring, and the movie helps you see that things are possible, even when challenges happen; especially if you are a female political leader. It’s especially insightful if you're interested in leadership, so I highly recommend it.

What inspired you to pursue a law career, and how did you overcome challenges, especially regarding the Nigerian educational system?

In secondary school, I discovered certain strengths: I was good at analyzing complex issues, enjoyed literature, was active in debate, and took on leadership roles. In university, I realized Law would give me a broad foundation and flexibility to explore different paths. The training you get as a lawyer teaches you to approach problems holistically, so it was a good choice.

Studying Law in Nigeria, especially at a federal university, is not an easy thing to do. The government needs to pay more attention to how education is handled. The system isn’t doing enough, and there’s a lot of corruption that frustrates students—some lecturers still ask for bribes or worse, like sex for grades. It’s a mess, and there needs to be a cleanup.

In spite of that, students should do their best. Don’t let the system limit you. 

Your achievements, like breaking a 36-year record with your first-class law degree, are inspiring! What personal habits or study techniques helped you achieve this?

There’s no singular thing that I can identify as the reason for my success. At the bottom of everything, I’d say confidence. Confidence in yourself and your studies goes a long way in helping your academic life. What you do is about setting up structures that help boost your confidence.  Low self-esteem affects your academics. Believing in yourself and building structures that boost your academic confidence is key.  

Another big part is your community. If you’re surrounded by people who aren’t serious about academics, it’ll rub off on you. It’s pretty simple. Build a group of like-minded people who push you to do better. That’ll help keep you motivated, build your confidence, and improve your academic experience.

Can you share some key challenges you faced and opportunities you recognized when you were younger?

The biggest challenge I faced was a lack of confidence in myself. Interestingly, I didn’t encounter many external limitations. 

Internally, I battled with confidence and especially struggled with public speaking. I used to be quite shy in those situations. I eventually realized that when I was holding the microphone, I was in charge; not the audience. 

I recognized that opportunities came from pushing myself. I read books, took training sessions, and was very intentional about identifying my weaknesses so I could work on them. In the end, it was about building myself from within.

How do you navigate working in spaces that may are unfavourable to women, and what advice would you give to young women facing similar challenges?

I’d say it all comes down to competence. When you’re competent, you don’t lead with, "I’m a woman, so I should be heard." Competence speaks for itself, whether you’re a man or a woman.

It can be difficult for women because we face unique challenges, and sometimes, you’ll encounter people who, no matter how educated, still hold outdated views. However, no one ignores competence. Focus on what you bring to the table. Once you’ve established your competence, you can then tackle any gender-based challenges that come your way. Don’t be incompetent and make noise about unfair treatment—competence always wins.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for women's leadership in the coming years?

Some existing policies do not support women’s leadership and often appear simple enough to overlook. In Nigerian law, there are glaring inequalities. This disparity raises important questions about the reasoning behind such policies, which seem to be rooted in cultural biases against women.

When we examine these laws, a troubling pattern undermines female leadership. Witnessing these injustices can be overwhelming. We must challenge and eliminate these cultural biases and review our policies to ensure everyone feels included in society. While many women are making significant strides in empowerment, we must push further to achieve lasting change in this fight for equality.

How do you think social media can be utilized as a powerful tool for young women's advocates to promote their rights and connect with like-minded individuals?

Social media is multipurpose, but it ultimately reflects your priorities. If you value your rights and want to support other women in society, you should speak up. You don’t need to be aggressive about it; being overly aggressive can be counterproductive.

I’ve noticed some women crossing boundaries and harbouring animosity toward men, which is not the objective. The goal should be advocating for equal space in society, not marginalizing men. We’re all human beings and need to foster understanding rather than division. 

Do your recognitions and achievements, like the Future Forward Female Award 2023 and your nomination for Inspirational Woman of the Year, inspire you to contribute further to girls' empowerment?

These recognitions inspire me to continue empowering women. Empowerment takes many forms, but my strides in the legal field resonate strongly. The goal of my overall success is to show girls that the limitations they see are often just in their minds. And even when those limitations are real, they aren’t impossible to overcome.

What skills or knowledge do you believe are crucial for young girls to succeed in the future?

I would emphasize two essential skills: communication skills, which include both writing and speaking. You must learn the art of negotiation and polish your speaking. While many skills are important, I believe that mastering communication is key. Polished writing can open doors and help you gain entry into influential circles, while oratorical prowess allows you to express your thoughts clearly and be understood by others. When you master these two skills, the possibilities for your future become limitless.

How can we empower girls to become active participants in shaping their own futures, especially in the context of societal pressures?

I believe the narrative surrounding women's success should focus on their own achievements rather than attributing their success solely to men. It’s important for girls to recognize that they can achieve greatness on their own terms. To empower girls, we must emphasize education. An educated girl can’t be tied down. Investing in girls’ education and empowerment has plenty of long-term benefits. It results in well-educated, competent women who can compete in the workforce and contribute to society. Moreover, the impact extends beyond the individual; it influences the next generation. Anything we do for a girl today benefits the future and generations to come.

How can we ensure that the progress made in girls' rights is sustained and built upon?

Sustaining progress requires having women and conscious men in decision-making positions. We need women in politics. We need leaders who understand and advocate for women's rights. Progress often stalls when these leaders are absent, so it’s important to have strong advocates at the table making policies that uphold and advance girls' rights. Raising awareness through publications and outreach initiatives is important. When we share stories of empowerment, it inspires other girls and increases societal awareness of their rights and responsibilities. The more we amplify this message, the more we contribute to societal changes.

Can you share your plans for positively impacting the lives of young girls and women?

I am particularly focused on economic growth, which is why I am pursuing further studies in Law. My interest lies in commercial law and investments because I’ve seen how they contribute to economic development. We can achieve significant progress if we prioritize economic growth in Africa through proper legal frameworks.

I envision myself at the forefront of strategy for economic growth, using the weapon of law. I hope to gain valuable insights while studying at Oxford and contribute to building the continent of our dreams. I want other girls to see they can contribute to this vision.

I envision a society where women can walk freely without the fear of harassment or harm. I want to see a world where women can compete with men and are granted equal privileges. I envision communities in Africa stopping harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation (FGM). I also want to eliminate child marriage in Nigeria.

As a nominee for the Inspirational Woman of the Year 2024, what message would you like to convey to girls worldwide who look up to you as a role model and inspiration?

My message is simple: live your life for yourself. Be accountable to yourself and to God, not anyone else. Make sure you're in the right standing with both, and focus on your goals because, in the end, that's what truly matters. Blocking out the noise can be tough, but once you do, you'll find that you're in control, and you'll soar.

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