March 11, (THEWILL) — Leaders from Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, government, and the private sector gathered in Lagos on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, as the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) convened stakeholders for the 2026 Ring the Bell for Gender Equality ceremony, reinforcing calls for stronger action to expand women’s participation in economic leadership.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), formed part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026 and aligned with the UN Women theme, “Rights, Justice, Action – For All Women and Girls.”
Held during the Nigerian Exchange Closing Gong ceremony, the initiative is part of a global advocacy campaign involving stock exchanges and financial institutions working to promote gender inclusion and strengthen women’s leadership across capital markets.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, highlighted the role of capital markets in driving inclusive economic 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”, he said, adding that NGX Group remains committed to advancing policies, partnerships and platforms that expand opportunities for women.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, commended NGX Group and its partners for sustaining the global initiative and championing gender equality within the financial ecosystem.
Also speaking, the First Lady of Imo State, Chioma Uzodimma, called for stronger collaboration to expand opportunities for women and girls, noting that inclusive economies depend on broader access to leadership and economic participation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Exchange, Jude Chiemeka, emphasised the importance of increasing women’s participation in the capital market ecosystem, noting that broader inclusion would deepen the market and strengthen long-term economic growth.
From the development finance perspective, Claude Owona, Regional Industry Manager for Financial Institutions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, said equal participation by men and women strengthens economic outcomes and improves societal prosperity.
Media entrepreneur and founder of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, encouraged women to pursue their ambitions with clarity and confidence, while award-winning filmmaker Funke Akindele urged women to combine ambition with discipline and structure in building sustainable businesses.
The ceremony celebrated the growing contributions of women to Nigeria’s capital markets while highlighting the need for sustained action to close gender gaps in leadership, finance and economic opportunity.
The initiative was organised in collaboration with global partners, including the International Finance Corporation, UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges, the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, reinforcing the role of capital markets in advancing inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
