What does it look like when a woman walks into a broken system and builds it into something extraordinary?
Doja Allen has answered that question not once, but repeatedly, in boardrooms, on air, and in every room she has opened for women who came after her.
As the first female CEO of a radio station in Nigeria, she took the helm of City 105.1FM when it was barely afloat, low morale, unpaid wages, and an identity crisis, and turned it into one of Lagos’ most influential media brands. No playbook. Just vision, discipline, and an unwavering belief in people.
But the microphone was never just for business. Doja created She Leads, a free mentorship and leadership development platform, because she understood that access shouldn’t be a luxury. Through City Media Academy, she is raising the next generation of media professionals while preserving the legacy of those who paved the way.
Her leadership is a masterclass in softness and strength existing in the same woman, at the same time.
Read This Exclusive Interview with Adedoja Allen, The First Female Radio CEO Transforming Nigerian Media and Mentoring the Next Generation.
1. In this current chapter of your life and career, how would you describe the woman you’re becoming – beyond titles and achievements?
At this stage of my life, I am becoming a woman who is deeply grounded in purpose rather than performance. Beyond titles and achievements, I am learning to value clarity, integrity, and impact. I am more intentional about alignment, choosing work that reflects my values and allows me to serve meaningfully.
Leading City 105.1FM and building platforms like City Media Academy and She Leads has reminded me that true success is not only in what we build, but in who we empower along the way. I am also embracing rest, self-awareness, and the understanding that growth does not always have to be loud to be powerful.
2. You took the helm at City 105.1FM at a time when the station was struggling. Looking back, what were the key decisions or mindsets that helped you turn it around so quickly?
When I took on the leadership of City 105.1FM, the first mindset shift was accepting that transformation requires honesty. We assessed the realities of where the station was, low morale, accumulated wages, an identity crisis, and a station that was barely recognized by agencies or brands.
We made bold decisions rooted in strategy, not fear. I focused heavily on people, culture, and structure, ensuring the team felt seen, empowered, and accountable. We built a strong team of media strategists, marketing experts, and branding professionals, and sharpened our brand identity through a full rebranding and relaunch in July 2012.
When vision was clear and the team aligned, sustainable systems turned recovery into results.
3. Leading a major urban radio station as its first female CEO is no small feat. How did being a woman shape your leadership approach, and what challenges did you face breaking that barrier?
Being a woman shaped my leadership by making me more empathetic, collaborative, and intuitive. I lead with emotional intelligence and a strong belief in inclusion.
Breaking that barrier came with challenges such as being underestimated or scrutinized more intensely, especially as someone coming from a finance background with very little media experience. But I learned to let competence speak louder than stereotypes.
I stayed confident in my voice, trusted the skills I had built across financial management and people leadership, and focused on results, not validation.
4. Running a media business is high-pressure and public-facing. How do you maintain balance and ensure your team and yourself thrive under that pressure?
Balance for me starts with boundaries and trust. I prioritize mental wellness, open communication, and realistic expectations.
When I assumed office, the station was under immense pressure, creditors, suppliers, low listenership, and staff uncertainty. So thriving meant rebuilding not just the business, but the culture. We introduced structure, welfare systems, performance indices, and processes that supported sustainability.
Personally, I remain grounded through reflection, faith, and a strong support system. Pressure becomes manageable when purpose is clear and support is shared.
5. City Media Academy and She Leads are about legacy and empowerment. How do you ensure your work leaves a lasting impact for future generations of African women in media?
Through City Media Academy and She Leads, I focus on building systems rather than just moments. Training, mentorship, access, and representation are central to everything we do.
City Media Academy was created to raise a new generation of media practitioners equipped for the modern media space, while preserving the legacy of seasoned professionals. She Leads was born out of my commitment to raising women who can lead boldly, using my own journey as the first female CEO of a radio station in Nigeria as proof that excellence is possible.
Legacy to me means leaving behind structures that continue to empower long after I step away.
6. From turning around a radio station to creating She Leads and City Media Academy, your journey has inspired many women. What lessons about leadership, resilience, and vision do you hope other African women take from your story?
I hope women take away the lesson that leadership is a journey, not a destination. Resilience is built in moments of uncertainty, and vision must be nurtured with discipline and courage.
When I stepped into City FM at its lowest ebb, the task was not just to manage but to transform and rebuild its identity, restructure operations, and restore relevance. That experience taught me that consistency often matters more than perfection.
I want women to know that it is possible to lead with softness and strength at the same time.
7. Your initiatives have touched women from different walks of life. What patterns have you noticed about the barriers women face in leadership, and how do you work to dismantle them?
Across different backgrounds, the recurring barriers are self-doubt, lack of access, and systemic bias. Many women are qualified but hesitant, while others are excluded from opportunities altogether.
My work through She Leads focuses on confidence building, skills development, mentorship, and advocacy. I also believe representation matters when women see other women leading platforms like City 105.1FM, they begin to believe more is possible for them.
We dismantle barriers by equipping women with both competence and courage.
8. Many young women aspire to leadership but doubt if they can “fit in” spaces historically dominated by men. What advice would you give to them about claiming their seat at the table?
My advice is simple: Do not wait to fit in. Own your space. Prepare yourself, speak up, and trust that your perspective is valuable.
In fact, during the panel session at the first edition of She Leads, one of our panelists shared something that stayed with me deeply — that you shouldn’t wait to fit in. You have to own your
space, prepare yourself to speak up, and trust your own guts and perspective, even when the room feels unfamiliar.
Sometimes claiming your seat means pulling up your own chair and sitting boldly. You do not need permission to lead, and your voice is not an exception; it is an asset.
9. Finally, when people think of Adedoja Allen as a leader, mentor, and change maker, what do you hope they remember most about the way you’ve led and inspired others?
I hope I am remembered as someone who led with purpose, compassion, and courage. Someone who opened doors, built people, and used her platform to create opportunities for others.
Whether through transforming City 105.1FM into the number one lifestyle station, creating community platforms like Praise in the City, or empowering women through She Leads and City Media Academy, I hope my legacy reflects service and impact.
More than anything, I hope my leadership inspires women to believe that they can rise without losing themselves.
