By Johnson Adebowale
In the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos, a powerful conversation unfolded. It wasn’t about stock tickers or quarterly reports, but about the realities of Nigerian women striving for financial independence. The annual Piggyvest Finance Roundtable, held on a sweltering Wednesday in February 2025, became a stage for candid discussions about the persistent gender wealth gap, a chasm that stretches across Nigeria’s economic landscape.
The numbers, stark and undeniable, painted a clear picture. Piggyvest’s 2024 Savings Report, a survey of over 10,000 Nigerians, revealed that men are significantly more likely to earn over one million naira monthly. While women are entrepreneurial, leading in business ownership rates, they face a mountain of challenges: limited funding, the delicate balance of caregiving, and the often invisible barriers of societal expectations.
“Most women-run micro-businesses aren’t designed for scaling,” Ibiyinka Ibru, a seasoned finance expert, explained. “They exist to support households but lack the structure for financial growth.” Her words echoed the experiences of countless women who juggle family responsibilities with the demands of running a business.
The panel, moderated by Ngozi Chukwu, brought these stories to life. Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu of Flutterwave spoke of the tangled web of personal and business finances, a reality that often hinders women’s access to loans. Bukky Akomolafe from Travelstart poignantly highlighted the career sacrifices women make when navigating marriage and motherhood. And Layo Ogunbawo of Splice called for a collective effort, emphasizing that “it’s not just on women to fix these challenges—society and companies must step up.”
These weren’t abstract concepts; they were the stories of mothers, sisters, and daughters. They were the stories of women who, despite facing formidable obstacles, were determined to build a better future for themselves and their families.
The roundtable wasn’t just about identifying problems; it was about finding solutions. The panelists championed financial education tailored to women’s specific needs, workplace policies that support work-life balance, and increased access to funding for female entrepreneurs. They envisioned a future where technology, designed by women for women, would democratize financial access.
Joshua Chibueze, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Piggyvest, underscored the company’s commitment to this vision. “The Piggyvest Savings Report is becoming a vital resource,” he said, “and with continued momentum, it could shape government policies and economic research.”
The roundtable was a testament to the power of dialogue and the importance of collective action. It was a reminder that behind the statistics are real people, real stories, and real aspirations. As the voices of these leaders resonated, they carried a powerful message: empowering women is not just a matter of equality; it’s a matter of economic imperative. In Nigeria, women are rewriting the rules of wealth, and the nation is poised to reap the benefits.