Pulse Influence Room Was All About Women, Community, and What Comes Next

Some phrases sound good on social media… and then some phrases actually mean something when you sit with them. Giving to gain is one of those. 

Giving to gain is not just some cute, trendy hashtag we attach to posts. It is a phrase that carries weight, demands action, and when done intentionally, it becomes impactful.

That idea sat quietly at the heart of the Pulse Influence Room — International Women’s Month Edition, a gathering designed not just to celebrate women, but to position women creators for what comes next. It was in the mix of women, those who have quietly (and loudly) shaped the industry for over a decade, and those just beginning to find their rhythm.

Because when you empower a woman, you empower a nation. In the words often attributed to Muhammad Ali, “A nation is only as good as its women.”

The event, which took place on March 27 at The House, Lagos, Nigeria, was filled with women who create, who build, who show up online and offline… and more importantly, women who are trying to understand what the next phase of creativity actually looks like.

And in today’s world, creators hold loud, cultural, and deeply shaping influence. They don’t just post. They influence decisions, build communities, shape culture in ways that are sometimes subtle, and sometimes undeniable.

The creative economy is already Nigeria’s second-largest employer, providing jobs for 4.2 million people. According to a report last year, projections suggested that it could create an additional 2.7 million jobs by 2025. Imagine the ripple effect this could have on reducing unemployment, especially among the youth.

More than Nigeria, Africa’s creative economy is gaining momentum, driven by cultural heritage, digital innovation, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Women are at the heart of this growth, representing over 60% of the sector’s workforce and shaping industries across fashion, design, music, film, and digital content. According to Boston Consulting Group, the sector is currently valued at about $59 billion.

Beyond the numbers, the creative economy represents something deeper: the power to shape narratives, and Pulse Nigeria has positioned itself to be at the core of these narratives.

The event opened with a welcome note from the host and Creator Lead at Pulse Nigeria, Wumi Tuase Fosudo,  who set the tone for the evening with a grounded and forward-looking message.

She spoke about the strength of creators, but also about what comes next, how the landscape is shifting, and why creators need more than visibility to thrive.

More importantly, she positioned Pulse not just as a platform, but as a collaborator. This wasn’t framed as a one-off event, but as part of a broader, more intentional approach to building with the people who power the creator economy.

Beyond the event, she emphasised, Pulse’s commitment to plug creators into the future. Not just through conversations, but through partnerships and opportunities.

The first session featured Angel Obasi, a content creator and creative director, who has spent nearly a decade navigating the creative space.

Known as The Style Connaisseur, Angel is a creative entrepreneur and style visionary redefining the future of African luxury through fashion, design, and storytelling. She is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Anchiel, a Black-owned, women-led luxury hat brand based in Canada.

She began by addressing candidly the realities creators are currently facing, starting with the question on everyone’s mind: AI.

Creators, she explained, are not getting replaced by AI. What keeps creators relevant is their humanity — their relationships, their personality, and their unique perspective.

Angel stressed the importance of building real relationships, especially as the next phase of creativity becomes more collaborative and community-driven.

She also highlighted the need for distinction. “Creators, she explained, must be distinct — not only in what they create, but also in how they present themselves. Standing out, rather than blending in, allows audiences and brands to recognise authenticity and specificity,“ she said.

She also highlighted consistency as a base to build familiarity between creators and brands, which in turn builds trust. 

And then she touched on something many creators avoid saying out loud… pricing.

Creators, she said, often overestimate their value too early. Her approach was different. Start lower, do the work, let the work speak. Then grow into your value.

“You get paid for the work first… and eventually, you get paid for who you are.”

Later in the evening, CEO of Pulse Africa, Katharina Link, took the stage.

Her focus was clear… the future.

She spoke about launching Pulse Nigeria’s creator ecosystem, a structure designed to support creators beyond visibility. Something more sustainable. Something that connects creators to opportunities that actually matter. But there was also a simple reminder that felt almost personal:

“Don’t care too much about what other people think. Putting yourself out there is already a strong start.”

The second speaker, Eki Ogunbor, brought a different kind of energy. Calmer. Reflective.

Eki Ogunbor is an award-winning writer, editor, and content creator with over 10 years of experience. She is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer at KISARA, a women's wear accessories brand that is a testament to her commitment to the flourishing African fashion industry. Eki is also the Group Executive Director of Branding and Communications at Nosak Group.

She spoke about faith… not as a concept, but as something that has carried her through uncertain moments. “Faith dispels fear,” she said.

She then shifted into what brands are actually looking for when working with creators, butressing on not just numbers but on authenticity, alignment, and trust.

“Brands want to know you will deliver… consistently. They want to feel that your personal brand aligns with theirs, not just visually but in values.”

And then she introduced a perspective many creators overlook…

Creators should position themselves as partners, not just service providers.

That means having structure. Having a value system. Building a team. And creating relationships with brands that go beyond transactions. “Not everything is about money… even though money matters.”

The event wasn’t just about speakers; it was about the room. Creators such as Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, a media personality and entrepreneur, who just released her new fashion talk show, The Fashion Roundtable. A first-of-its-kind talk show dedicated to unearthing the real, unfiltered conversations with the key players shaping Nigeria’s fashion industry.

Aisha of Maira Champ, Dr Onyii Azode, Teminikan, Modesinuola Ogundiwin, Martha Ehinome, Pasheda, Tai of Foodie in Lagos, Tennie and many others were present.

Different industries. Different journeys, but same underlying drive.

There was a moment where each woman introduced herself and shared something she was proud of this year.

Some spoke with confidence. Others paused mid-sentence. Some laughed through it.

But it was real.

Some of the most meaningful moments didn’t happen during the panel sessions; they happened in between. 

The event was proudly sponsored by Inverroche By Nature, The House, Oil Trifecta, Claire Marcus, and Beauty by AD.

If there’s one thing the Pulse Influence Room made clear, it’s that the creator economy is evolving. And the people who will thrive in it are not just the most visible… but the most intentional.

The ones building relationships.

The ones staying consistent even when it’s quiet.

The ones who understand that influence is not just about numbers… It’s about trust.

And maybe more importantly…

The ones willing to give… knowing that, eventually, it comes back around.