IWD: Bianca Ojukwu Rings Bell for Gender Equality at NGX

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has commended the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) for promoting gender inclusion and creating economic opportunities for women through the capital market.

Speaking on Tuesday at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group in Lagos during activities marking the International Women’s Day, the minister said empowering women economically is key to building stronger institutions and prosperous societies.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu rang the ceremonial closing bell as part of the NGX event themed “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality – Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls.”

The event attracted several prominent women leaders from different sectors of the economy, including the wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, and Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.

In her remarks, the minister said the occasion held personal significance for her because her late father-in-law, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, served as one of the founding presidents of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

She described him as a visionary industrialist who believed strongly in enterprise, innovation and national development.

“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.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged stakeholders to ensure women are not only participants in the economy but also leaders shaping its direction, noting that when women thrive in sectors such as business, finance, diplomacy and governance, societies become stronger and more prosperous.

She also congratulated the NGX and its partners for sustaining the global campaign for gender equality within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Temi Popoola, emphasized the need for greater female participation in the capital market.

According to him, empowering women entrepreneurs with access to finance would further boost economic growth and innovation.

Popoola noted that women already dominate sectors such as the creative industry and encouraged more women-led businesses to list on the exchange and participate actively in the capital market.