Lagos: Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has emphasised the crucial role of public-private partnerships in driving meaningful change for promoting gender parity. Musawa, during the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) in Lagos, said it had become important to tackle most of the challenges confronting women and girls, which limits their potential. The theme of the programme is ‘Accelerate Action for All Women: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister highlighted the importance of collaboration, citing a report by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) which revealed that women-owned businesses contribute $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy. Musawa noted that women struggle to access capital for their businesses and stressed that building a gender-equal future requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. She urged for decisive actions to bridge the gender gap, emphasizing the need for gender-lens investments and funding opportunities tailored for women entrepreneurs. She also commended the NGX for their efforts in leveraging capital markets to support women-led businesses and gender-focused initiatives.
Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX Group, stated that achieving gender equality demands deliberate and bold actions by the private sector, government, regulators, and society at large. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure women gain easy access to capital, noting that an inclusive economy is a thriving one. The NGX is committed to increasing women’s participation in the Nigerian capital market through targeted education programs and mechanisms to track gender impact via data collection and analysis.
Mr Temi Popoola, Group Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, expressed appreciation for women supporting their gender within the NGX and encouraged continued mutual support among women to achieve greater outcomes. Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director of Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS), called for male-female collaboration to build a harmonious and equitable society, while Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), urged men to respect, honor, and support women, acknowledging their resilience and resourcefulness.
Ms Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Entrepreneurial Development, called for further collaboration between the NGX and government to expand investment for women. Franca Chukwugor, Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement Security and Exchange Commission, advised women to equip themselves with the necessary information for prosperity and avoid illegal investments, emphasizing the importance of authentic financial knowledge.
Serah Ockman, Manager of Pre-Investment and Advisory Services at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), advised women to prioritize investment. Prof. Folashade Ogunshola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, urged women to overcome social barriers to make a significant impact in society. Ogunshola called for public-private partnerships aimed at creating an economic environment where women can access necessary capital and grants for wealth creation. Hilda Baci, Chief Executive Officer of Food by Hilda, encouraged women to continue learning and teaching each other to achieve an equitable society.