The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial sector have been urged to work together to create more innovative ways for women to participate and thrive in the financial ecosystem.
The appeal was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative organized by the NGX to mark International Women’s Day 2026.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised the NGX Group and its partners for leveraging the capital market to “advance inclusion, transparency and opportunity for women across the economy.” She added, “Together, let us continue to open the doors of opportunity so the next generation of women can lead with confidence and help transform our world. This event is an avenue to celebrate progress made whilst renewing commitments to a more inclusive economic future.”
Also speaking at the event, Group Managing Director of NGX, Temi Popoola, highlighted the significant role women have played in the success of the capital market.
He recalled that during the 2021 MTN digital offer the first of its kind in the market women were major participants, investing not only for themselves but also for their children and families.
Popoola emphasised that women are central to Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which hold a substantial portion of the nation’s wealth. “If we can address the challenges women face in accessing capital, it will translate into a deeper and more robust capital market for all,” he said.
He further noted that discussions around women in finance have evolved from mere gender equality to broader empowerment. “The more empowered women are, the greater the benefits for the entire Nigerian corporate ecosystem,” Popoola added.
On her part, the First Lady of Imo State, Chioma Uzodimma, while noting that gender equality is not a mere social ideal but a fundamental pillar of economic development, stated that economic inclusion was the master key to lasting change.
She said, “the UN Women theme “Rights, Justice, Action For All Women and Girls,” serves as a clarion call to acknowledge women’s achievements and dismantle barriers precluding women and girls from reading with confidence and realising their full potential.”
The Ring the Bell for Gender Equality ceremony celebrated the contributions of women to Nigeria’s capital markets and the broader economy while reinforcing the need for sustained action to close gender gaps in leadership, finance, and opportunity.
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The 2026 edition organised by the NGX in collaboration with Central Securities Clearing System PLC and Women in Management , Business and Public Service( WIMBIZ)also had global partners including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the United Nations Global Compact, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSEI).