By Taiye Olayemi
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has emphasised the essential position of public-private partnerships in driving significant change for selling gender parity.
Musawa, in the course of the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) in Lagos, mentioned it had grow to be vital to sort out many of the challenges confronting ladies and women, which limits their potential.
The theme of the programme is “Accelerate Action for All Women: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”
According to the minister, collaboration is vital contemplating the report by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) which revealed that women-owned companies contribute $15 billion to Nigeria’s financial system.
She mentioned that ladies battle to entry capital for his or her enterprise.
“Building a gender-equal future requires collaboration between the private and non-private sectors.
“We should transcend conversations and take decisive and significant actions to bridge the gender hole in society.
“We should improve gender-lens, make investments and create funding alternatives, particularly tailor-made for ladies entrepreneurs.
“We must also focus on building a sustainable future, where women are empowered to lead, innovate, and thrive,” she mentioned.
Musawa recommended the NGX for his or her outstanding effort in leveraging capital markets to channel assets into women-led companies and gender-focused initiatives.
Also, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, NGX Group, mentioned reaching gender equality calls for deliberate and daring actions by the personal sector, authorities, regulators, and the society at giant.
Kwairanga famous that it was equally vital for everybody to work collectively to make sure ladies acquire easy accessibility to capital, taking into consideration that an inclusive financial system is a thriving one.
He mentioned the NGX is decided to extend ladies participation within the Nigerian capital market via focused funding in schooling programmes and the creation of mechanisms to trace gender affect via aggregated knowledge assortment and evaluation.
“At NGX Group, we stay by instance. Achieving gender equality calls for deliberate and daring actions by the regulators, authorities, personal sector, and society.
“When we accelerate progress for women, we accelerate progress for all. An inclusive economy is a thriving economy, and empowering women is a catalyst for the society,” he mentioned.
Mr Temi Popoola, Group Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, appreciated all ladies rendering large assist to their gender throughout the NGX.
He saluted outstanding achievements by ladies typically and inspired them to proceed to assist each other as much more might be achieved by the ladies folks.
Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director, Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS), referred to as for male-female collaboration to construct a harmonious and equitable society.
Speaking on how he was raised by values garnered from ladies, Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) urged males to respect, honour and take absolute care of the ladies folks.
Agama acknowledged ladies’s resilience, hardworking, and resourceful nature.
Also, Ms Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Entrepreneurial Development, referred to as for additional collaboration between the NGX and authorities to broaden funding for ladies.
Franca Chukwugor, Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement Security and Exchange Commission, challenged ladies to equip themselves with the wanted info to prosper.
Chukwugor suggested ladies in opposition to participating in ilegal investments however thirst after genuine monetary data.
Serah Ockman, Manager, Pre-Investment and Advisory Services, International Finance Corporation (IFC) suggested ladies to prioritise funding.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunshola urged ladies to shun all type of social limitations they’ve been confronted with as a way to additional make outstanding affect within the society.
Ogunshola referred to as for public-private partnerships channelled at creating an financial surroundings the place ladies can entry capital, grants wanted, wealth creation.
Hilda Baci, Chief Executive Officer of Food by Hilda, admonished ladies to not desist from studying and instructing each other till the nation achieves an equitable society.