Nigeria Gender Country Program Launch

Senior government officials, regulators, development finance institutions and business leaders launched the Nigeria Gender Country Program (NGCP) in Nigeria. The initiative, led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in partnership with Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), aims to position gender inclusion as a driver of business competitiveness, investment and long-term economic growth. The program builds on the Nigeria2Equal initiative and moves into implementation, with participating organisations expected to adopt measurable gender-smart business practices. Research cited at the launch indicates that closing gaps in women's leadership, employment and entrepreneurship could generate an estimated $22.9 billion in additional annual economic output. Speakers included Umaru Kwairanga (Group Chairman of NGX Group), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Governor of Lagos State, represented by Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem), Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim (Minister of Women Affairs, represented by Aishatu Digili), Olivier Buyoya (IFC Division Director for West and Central Africa), Emomotimi Agama (Director General of the United States — United States Securities and Exchange Commission, represented by Frana Chukwuogor), Temi Popoola (Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, represented by Jumoke Olaniyan), Mathew Verghis (World Bank Country Director for Nigeria), Bola Adesola (Chairman of Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Nigeria), Omobola Johnson (Senior Partner at TLcom Capital), Olufemi Shobanjo (CEO of NGX Regulation Limited), Chinyere Almona (Director General of LCCI), and representatives of UN Women. Private sector organisations have begun signing up to the program.