Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for increased inclusion of women in Nigeria’s capital market and economic space.
She made the call at the Nigerian Exchange Group Closing Gong Ceremony held to commemorate International Women’s Day and Women’s Month.
Addressing stakeholders, the Minister emphasised the role of markets in shaping economic participation, stating, “Every trade, every listing, and every investment choice made within these walls determines who has access, who participates, and ultimately—who benefits.”
She described the ceremony as more than symbolic.
“As we ring this closing gong today in commemoration of International Women’s Day and Women’s Month, we are not just marking the end of a trading day. We are sounding a clarion call,” the Minister said.
She posed a critical question to stakeholders, asking, “Are we building an economy that truly includes the Nigerian woman?”
Highlighting the contributions of women, she said they remain underrepresented despite being “the heartbeat of our markets, the backbone of our households, and the engine room of our productivity.”
She stressed that exclusion has economic consequences, stating, “keeping women on the sidelines is not just a social injustice—it is a massive economic oversight.”
Referencing the administration’s economic vision, she said, “he has set a bold target for a $1 trillion economy, and I am here to tell you today that the path to a trillion-dollar economy that requires the contributions of the Nigerian woman.”
On policy direction, she disclosed that under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions 774, government is expanding access to finance and enterprise support nationwide.
She also highlighted partnerships with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Investionnaire Academy, and Kudimata Ltd to build women’s financial capacity.
The Minister urged market operators to deepen inclusion, stating, “let this gong be more than a sound. Let it be a recurring heartbeat for an inclusive economy.”
Dignitaries at the event included Honourable Kafilat Ogbara; Director General, National Theatre, Lucia Shittu; former Chairman, Access Bank, Dere Awosika; Chairman, Board of Trustees, WIMBIZ, Ebisan Akisanya; Foluke Alakija; Founder, WARIF, Kemi DaSilva Ibru; Founder, Women’s Radio, Toun Sonaiya; and Founder, Kudimata, Kathleen Erhimu.