At WiLAT Nigeria Day 2025 in Lagos, Senior Advocate Jean Chiazor Anishere called for urgent investment in AI upskilling to break barriers for women in logistics.
Key Takeaways:
- AI is revolutionizing logistics, offering new career pathways for women
- Jean Anishere calls for closing the digital and skills divide
- AI tools like robotics, chatbots, and automation can reduce physical demands
- Inclusive policies and education are critical to equitable access
- Logistics can become a model for gender-inclusive tech leadership
The logistics and transport sector may not always make headlines, but it powers everything—from food delivery to global trade. At the 2025 Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Nigeria Day held in Lagos, that silent force got a powerful voice. Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN and Senior Partner at Ofianyi Chambers, delivered a keynote that both challenged and inspired.
Standing before an audience of professionals and industry leaders, Anishere declared that the next chapter of logistics would be driven by Artificial Intelligence—and women must be ready to lead it.
She didn’t mince words about the roadblocks women have faced in this field: rigid manual processes, outdated gender roles, and limited access to leadership. “We, as women, have historically navigated this landscape with immense resilience,” she said.
But now, a shift is underway.
AI, she explained, is no longer some futuristic idea—it’s already here, optimizing supply chains, predicting demand, and transforming how work gets done. And more importantly, it’s creating opportunities for women who have been historically sidelined.
Imagine robotic systems in warehouses that ease physical labor, or autonomous vehicles that turn drivers into strategic monitors. AI tools like predictive planning and virtual assistants free women from repetitive tasks, letting them focus on high-impact decision-making roles.
However, this shift won’t benefit everyone equally unless action is taken. Anishere warned that the “digital divide and skills gap” could leave many women behind, especially in developing economies. Her call to action: invest now in upskilling, digital education, and inclusive policies.
“Together, we can ensure that women not only participate in but also shape the future of logistics and transport,” she said to a standing ovation.
As AI continues its march, it’s not just about automation—it’s about who gets to benefit. And thanks to voices like Anishere’s, the future may just be a little more inclusive.