Bianca Ojukwu Rings NGX Bell, Calls for Greater Women Participation in Nigeria’s Economy

By: Mercy Folounsho

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged stronger participation of women in economic leadership, saying the next generation of women has the potential to drive global transformation.

The minister made the call at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group in Lagos, where she rang the ceremonial bell to commemorate International Women’s Day.

The event, themed “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality – Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” brought together women leaders from across sectors, including the wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, media entrepreneur Mo Abudu and Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.

Speaking at the event, Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised the NGX for promoting inclusion and expanding opportunities for women through the capital market.

“It is both a personal honour and a historic privilege to stand here today at the Exchange, celebrating progress while renewing our commitment to a more inclusive economic future,” she said.

The minister noted that the ceremony held special significance for her because her late father-in-law, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, served as one of the founding presidents of the former Nigerian Stock Exchange.

She described him as a visionary industrialist who championed enterprise, innovation and national development.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that women must not only participate in the economy but also help shape its direction.

“When women thrive in business, finance, diplomacy and governance, institutions grow stronger and societies become more prosperous,” she said.

She commended the NGX and its partners for sustaining the global movement for gender equality within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

“Together, let us continue to open doors of opportunity so that the next generation of women can lead with confidence and transform our world,” the minister added.

Also speaking, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Temi Popoola, stressed the need for greater female participation in the capital market.

“When women rise, economies rise,” Popoola said, noting that women entrepreneurs must take advantage of opportunities in the capital market to access finance and grow their businesses.

He acknowledged the growing influence of women in sectors such as the creative industry and encouraged more women-led businesses to list on the Exchange.

“The conversation has moved beyond gender equality to active participation. Many women have great ideas, and the capital market provides the platform for them to access funding and scale their businesses,” he said.

The NGX bell-ringing ceremony forms part of a global initiative by stock exchanges worldwide to highlight the importance of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.