As part of Gender Equality Month, the International Canoe Federation is profiling five influential female leaders from each continent that are blazing a trail for women in the sport. Next up is ICF Board member and Confederation of African Canoeing Vice President Ola Oluode.
Ever since Ola Oluode stepped into the world of canoeing more than a decade ago, the Nigerian trailblazer has been determined to create avenues for women to shine in Africa.
Working as a sports administrator for Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Oluode was posted to the Nigerian Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation shortly before the London 2012 Olympic Games to carry out the position of Secretary General.
It was there where Oluode’s love affair with canoeing began and her passion to push for gender equality grew ever stronger.
“It was all men, men, men in that federation so I just told myself that I was going to do the very best job possible, and this has been achievable thanks to the support of my federation President,” said Oluode.
“It’s been a male dominated environment, but I have always been driven and that’s why International Women’s Day on March 8 means a lot to me.
“It’s a day where we are able to push women forward and show that they can have more impact because of the way they go about things.
“March 8 is really the only day where we truly look at the contribution of women in sport and see how much impact they are having.
“It’s been challenging working in a male dominated environment especially in Africa and Nigeria where there is a mix of cultures and religions but it’s also a wonderful opportunity.”
Oluode has been delighted to see more female paddlers represent Nigeria on the Olympic stage with Ayomide Emmanuel Bello and Beauty Akinaere Otuedo competing in the women’s canoe double 500m at Paris 2024.
“I have always tried to encourage women to participate and now we are seeing more female athletes in canoeing,” said Oluode.
“In the Olympics that I have been involved with, we went from having one man in 2012 to having two women in 2024.
“We also have female ITOs (International Technical Officials) now and we have female coaches which are up and coming.
“At the Confederation of African Canoeing, we have also been encouraging women to be part of the leadership and other roles.”
Sport has been a central part of Oluode’s life having been educated in it and made it her career. Oluode represented her school in sport before going on to study a bachelor's degree in health and physical education/fitness at the University of Lagos in Nigeria and then work as a civilian sports instructor for the Nigerian Navy.
Oluode also achieved a master’s degree in sports administration at the University of Lagos in 2016 after securing a high school diploma in sports leadership at the University of Chichester in England where she first met ICF Vice President Cecilia Farias.
Dr Farias remains an inspirational figure for Oluode as she continues to pursue her career in sports administration.
“Cecilia has been a huge driver for me and I see her as my superhero,” said Oluode.
“She’s someone I look up to so to meet her again at Board level has been wonderful.
“I just love her unbiased mindset.
“She is always there to give a piece of advice and support to all the women out there.
“Canoeing is my life and the ICF is like a family to me. You just feel at home at any time of year whenever you are with your people.”
Oluode joined the ICF Board of Directors as an African continental representative in 2016 and made history in 2021 when was she was elected as the first-ever female Vice President of the Confederation of African Canoeing (CAC).
It was a big moment in the push for gender equality at the CAC and Oluode hopes more women will follow in her footsteps.
“To be the first-ever female Vice President means a lot to me,” said Oluode, who also made Vice Chairperson of Nigeria Olympic Committee’s Women and Sport Commission.
“It’s why we are trying to ensure that there is a legacy so that more women can come into these positions.
“We want to create avenues to make it consistent so it’s not just a one-off.
“The gender balance in Africa will get better as people are becoming more aware of how it should be because of the directive from the International Olympic Committee.
“National Federations are trying to do what has been instructed to them by the higher body, so we are hopeful of seeing more women get places on Boards.”
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