The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), in collaboration with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), has called for enhanced gender equity and increased women’s participation in Nigeria’s economy.
The appeal was made at the 2026 Ring the Bell for Gender Equality ceremony, held during the NGX Closing Gong Ceremony, which aligned with the UN Women theme, “Rights, Justice, Action – For All Women and Girls”. The event served as a platform to advocate for women’s expanded roles in leadership, finance, and the broader economic landscape.
Delivering the welcome address, NGX Group Managing Director Mr. Temi Popoola highlighted the critical role of capital markets in driving inclusive growth.
“Capital markets are powerful engines for economic transformation. When women participate fully as leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, markets become stronger, deeper, and more resilient. At NGX Group, we remain committed to policies, partnerships, and platforms that expand opportunities for women and accelerate inclusive prosperity,” he said.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, commended NGX and its partners for sustaining the global movement toward gender equality.
“Together, let us continue to open doors of opportunity so the next generation of women can lead with confidence and transform our world,” she stated.
Chioma Uzodimma, First Lady of Imo State, urged collective action to create more opportunities for women and girls.
“As we sound the NGX Gong today, let it symbolise our shared pledge to protect every girl child, expand opportunities for every woman, and build an inclusive economy where every woman and girl can flourish,” she said.
NGX CEO Mr. Jude Chiemeka stressed the importance of broadening women’s participation within the capital market ecosystem.
“When more women participate as investors and professionals, we deepen the market and strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth,” he noted.
On the economic benefits of gender equality, Ms. Claude Owona, Regional Industry Manager at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), observed:
“When women and men participate equally in the economy, societies function better and economies become more prosperous.”
Media entrepreneur Ms. Mo Abudu encouraged women to pursue their ambitions with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
“Find your purpose, let passion fuel your journey, stay consistent even when challenges arise, and stand firmly in your power. Do not shrink,” she said.
Award-winning actor Funke Akindele called for discipline and courage in women’s pursuits.
“You can do it. But beyond the words, we must put in the hard work, structure our businesses, and do things the right way,” she said.
The ceremony celebrated women’s contributions to Nigeria’s capital market and economy while reinforcing the need for sustained efforts to close gender gaps in leadership and opportunity.
The 2026 event featured global partners, including IFC, UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the United Nations Global Compact, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSEI), with female board members and industry leaders in attendance.
As the closing gong sounded, participants pledged collective action, emphasizing that advancing gender equality requires not just dialogue but deliberate, sustained collaboration.