Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has praised the Nigerian Exchange Group for using the capital market to advance inclusion, transparency, and expanded opportunities for women across Nigeria’s economy.
She made the remarks at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group in Lagos, where she rang the ceremonial bell to mark International Women’s Day.
Speaking at the event themed “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality – Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed confidence that the next generation of women could drive transformative change globally if given the right support and opportunities.
The minister described the moment as both symbolic and personally significant, noting that her late father-in-law, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, was among the founding presidents of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. She recalled him as a visionary industrialist who championed enterprise, innovation, and national development.
“It is therefore both a personal honour and a historic privilege to stand here today at the Exchange, celebrating progress while renewing our commitment to a more inclusive economic future,” she said.
Reflecting on the theme of the year’s celebration, the minister urged stakeholders to ensure that women are not only active participants in the economy but also leaders shaping its direction. According to her, when women succeed in business, finance, diplomacy, and governance, institutions become stronger and societies more prosperous.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also commended the Nigerian Exchange Group and its partners for sustaining the global push for gender equality and promoting the cause within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
“Together, let us continue to open doors of opportunity so that the next generation of women can lead with confidence and transform our world,”she added.
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Temi Popoola, said greater participation of women in the capital market would strengthen economic growth.
The Group Managing Director applauded women for their contributions to the financial sector while encouraging them to take fuller advantage of opportunities in the capital market, particularly in accessing funding for their ideas and businesses.
He noted that women dominate several sectors of Nigeria’s economy, particularly the creative industry, and expressed hope that more women-led businesses would list on the Exchange in the future.
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The ceremony drew several prominent women leaders from various sectors of the economy, including the wife of the Imo State governor, Chioma Uzodimma, media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, and Nollywood star Funke Akindele.