By: Ayoade Esther Damola
A new stage production inspired by the book ‘No More Shrinking’ by Dr. Abiola Salami has been unveiled as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration.
At a press conference and cast unveiling for ‘No More Shrinking: The Stage Experience’, Salami said the initiative goes beyond symbolic celebrations of women and instead seeks to confront the cultural conditioning that often causes women to downplay their capabilities in professional and social spaces.
Salami declared that the movement is designed to challenge the silent compromises that limit women’s leadership potential across organisations, businesses and homes.
“Too many brilliant women are shrinking in rooms they were born to shake; shrinking their voice, their vision, their visibility and their power. Not because they lack competence or intelligence, but because of culture, conditioning and compromise,” he said.
He emphasised that the initiative should not be viewed as a conventional women’s event, but rather as a strategic platform linked to leadership development and economic advancement.
“When women operate at full capacity, companies perform better. When women lead boldly, institutions grow stronger, and when women stop shrinking, economies expand,” Salami stated.
According to him, organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of empowering female professionals as part of broader talent development and retention strategies. Several organisations have already secured corporate participation in the initiative, seeing it as an investment in leadership growth.
The No More Shrinking stage production is designed as a live, high-impact theatrical experience combining drama, music and dance to illustrate the hidden barriers that prevent many women from expressing their full leadership capacity. The performance which would hold on March 28, with two shows, would feature a diverse cast of professionals who will bring real-life stories and themes from the book to the stage.
Salami said the project also includes an original soundtrack that will be available across major streaming platforms, adding another dimension to the movement’s message.
“This is not a conference or a panel discussion. It is a stage experience confronting silent compromises and unrealised leadership potential,” he said.
During the press interaction, organisers also highlighted the broader societal role in addressing the issue, noting that leaders, families, colleagues and mentors all share responsibility in creating environments where women can thrive rather than shrink.
The cast of the stage play include: Imoh Eboh, Tosin Adeyemi, Uche Chika Elumelu, Joy Nmezi, Chinonso Umesiobi and Miriam Paul. Director and Executive Producer are Austin Onuoha and Dr Abiola Salami respectively.
Registrar, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Oluwatoyin Naiwo, who commended the initiative and stressed the importance of greater female representation in leadership across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
She noted that while discussions about gender inclusion have grown in recent years, more practical platforms are needed to encourage women to step into leadership roles and challenge societal expectations.
“It is not acceptable for women to shrink into only traditional roles. Women can do more and must be encouraged to stand up and be counted,” she said.
Organisers say the stage experience aims to create a public declaration that the shrinking of women’s potential must end, positioning the project as both a cultural production and a movement driven by storytelling, courage and lived experiences.
