The 2025 International Women’s Day celebration, organized by NGX, featured discussions by Minister Hannatu Musawa and other prominent leaders emphasizing the need for public-private partnerships to promote gender equality in Nigeria. With references to the significant contribution of women-owned businesses, speakers called for increased access to capital and collaborative actions to empower women entrepreneurs. The event reaffirmed a collective commitment to bridge gender gaps and foster inclusive economic growth.
Ms. Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, has underscored the significance of public-private partnerships in fostering gender equality. While addressing the 2025 International Women’s Day event organized by the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) in Lagos, she highlighted the need to confront challenges that hinder the potential of women and girls. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Accelerate Action for All Women: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”
Musawa referenced a report from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), stating that women-led businesses are responsible for a significant $15 billion contribution to the Nigerian economy. She emphasized the ongoing struggles that women face in securing capital for their enterprises. She stated, “Building a gender-equal future requires collaboration between the public and private sectors.”
Further, Musawa urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and initiate substantive actions aimed at bridging the gender gap in society. She advocated for increased investment opportunities tailored for women entrepreneurs and stressed the importance of creating a sustainable environment in which women can lead and prosper. Musawa lauded the NGX for facilitating access to resources for women-led initiatives.
Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX Group, echoed Musawa’s sentiments, indicating that achieving gender equality necessitates committed actions from all sectors and society. He noted the critical importance of providing women with better access to funding and remarked, “An inclusive economy is a thriving one.”
Mr. Temi Popoola, Group CEO of NGX Group, expressed gratitude to women who support each other within the organization. He praised women’s accomplishments and encouraged collective support among them. Additionally, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director of the Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS), called for collaboration between men and women to foster equality.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), highlighted the need for men to respect and honor women, recognizing their resilience and hard work. Furthermore, Ms. Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President, stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between the NGX and the government to promote women’s investments.
Franca Chukwugor, Executive Commissioner at SEC, encouraged women to seek genuine financial knowledge while avoiding illegal investments. Serah Ockman from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) stressed the importance of investment priorities for women. Prof. Folashade Ogunshola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, called for public-private partnerships aimed at fostering an environment conducive to wealth creation for women.
Hilda Baci, CEO of Food by Hilda, encouraged women to pursue continuous learning and mutual teaching as steps towards achieving societal equality.
This gathering underscored a unified call for collective action to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for supportive structures and collaboration to empower women economically and socially.
The event highlighted the pressing need for public-private collaborations to advance gender equality in Nigeria. Key stakeholders, including government and private sector leaders, emphasized the importance of investing in women-led initiatives and creating conducive environments for women entrepreneurs. Encouraging collective actions and mutual support among women were central themes, with a shared commitment to overcoming barriers and fostering an inclusive economy. Collaborative efforts among all sectors will be pivotal in achieving sustainable progress in gender equity.
Original Source: nannews.ng
