Schneider Electric has reiterated its commitment to promoting gender equality and accelerating employee growth as part of its celebration of International Women’s Day, it said in a statement on Sunday.
The company said the 2025 IWD theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ highlights the need for urgent steps in addressing systemic gender biases and advancing gender equality.
The firm noted that it was committed to increasing female hires to 50 per cent and raising women’s representation in leadership positions to 30 per cent.
The company added that it has fully implemented its Pay Equity Framework across all countries since 2019, covering 99 per cent of its workforce to bridge the gender pay gap.
Beyond gender equality, Schneider Electric provides an environment where employees can grow, thrive, and advance their careers.
The company also noted that it won the Employer of the Year award in the Energy and Utilities Sector from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association on November 22, 2024, in recognition of its workplace excellence and employee development efforts.
Country Manager for West Africa, Funmilayo Olakitan, shared her career journey at Schneider Electric: “I joined Schneider Electric in 2022 as a graduate marketing intern.
“Within six months, I was promoted to Marketing Communications Specialist and later transitioned to my current role in corporate citizenship as the Youth Education and Entrepreneurship Programme and Foundation Delegate for Anglophone West Africa. Schneider Electric has been instrumental to my growth, providing leadership support, training, and courses to enhance my skills and leadership abilities.
“The culture, people, and environment have enabled me to continuously develop and progress in my career. As a woman, I have received immense support from my colleagues and leaders, making my transition seamless,” she said.
Talent Leader for Anglophone West Africa, Yewande Ayowole-Oso, reflected on her nine-year journey at Schneider Electric, during which she has held various roles, including HR Generalist, HR Service Manager, HR Cluster Manager, HR Director, and now Talent Leader for Anglophone Africa.
She emphasised how Schneider Electric’s processes and dedication to employee development have significantly contributed to her growth.
“Schneider Electric has been more than just a workplace for me; it has provided a platform to develop and apply my expertise across different HR functions, equipping me with the skills to lead at various levels.
“The company fosters a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, and leadership development, which has accelerated my career. Our talent development programmes, internal mobility initiatives, and leadership training have been instrumental in shaping my journey.
“Schneider Electric’s commitment to people development empowers employees to embrace new challenges and advance into leadership roles while creating IMPACT,” she shared.
Territory Technology Lead, Belema Koleoso, who joined Schneider Electric in 2015 with a passion for contributing as an engineer, described her career journey, saying, “I began my career driven by a passion to contribute as an engineer towards building a better world, with automation and control as my tools. Reflecting on the past 10 years, I can confidently say that Schneider Electric has provided me with a platform to achieve much more than I initially envisioned.
“As the Territory Technical Lead for Process Automation, I have not only contributed to technical excellence across Africa but also developed and honed various skills that have made me an integral part of our productivity efforts. Through this journey, I’ve learnt that having a dream is just the beginning; the true essence lies in living that dream every day,” she said.
