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By Chukwuma Umeorah
The federal government and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) have intensified calls for increased participation of women in Nigeria’s capital market, warning that the exclusion of women remains a constraint on economic growth and the country’s $1 trillion economy target.
Speaking during a closing gong ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the structure of the market must reflect inclusiveness, stressing that women remain underrepresented in formal finance despite their economic contributions.
“As we ring this closing gong today, we must ask ourselves the most critical economic question of our time: are we building an economy that truly includes Nigerian women?” she said.
According to her, “Keeping women on the sidelines is not just a social injustice, it is a massive economic oversight,” noting that women account for a significant share of productivity but are not adequately represented in investment and capital market activities.
She linked women’s inclusion to President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy ambition, stating that achieving the target would require “the contribution of both men and women”.
The minister disclosed that the government is expanding access to finance and enterprise support through its “Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774”, aimed at reaching women across all local government areas.
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She also said the ministry is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria to improve women’s understanding of the stock market, alongside partnerships with training platforms such as the Investor Academy and women-focused financial literacy groups.
“We are calling on Nigerian women to get empowered, and the route to empowerment is through the Nigerian capital market,” she added.
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, speaking earlier, said women’s participation remains critical to market growth, noting that existing levels do not reflect Nigeria’s population strength.
“Behind every successful market are women. For Nigeria’s capital market to reach its full potential, we must be intentional about empowering women as active participants,” he said.
Also speaking, NGX Group Chairman Umaru Kwairanga described the capital market as a key platform for widening access to finance and wealth creation, stressing that women are central to economic progress.
“As we work towards a more inclusive and resilient economy, the capital market remains a vital platform for expanding access to finance, supporting women-led enterprises, and enabling broader participation in wealth creation,” he said.
