Leaders from Nigeria’s financial, public, and creative sectors gathered at the Nigerian Exchange to mark International Women’s Day 2026, as Nigerian Exchange Group Plc joined forces with Central Securities Clearing System Plc and Women in Management, Business and Public Service to host the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative.

The ceremony, held during the Nigerian Exchange Closing Gong, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and industry influencers in a show of commitment to accelerating gender equality and expanding women’s participation in economic leadership.

Aligned with the UN Women theme, “Rights, Justice, Action – For All Women and Girls,” the event served as both a symbolic and strategic call for stakeholders across government, business, and the capital market ecosystem to take deliberate steps toward closing gender gaps in opportunity and leadership.

Opening the ceremony, Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, underscored the role of capital markets in driving inclusive economic growth. He noted that markets become stronger and more resilient when women participate fully as entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders.

“Capital markets are powerful engines for economic transformation,” Popoola said. “When women participate fully as leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, markets become stronger, deeper, and more resilient. At NGX Group, we remain committed to advancing policies, partnerships, and platforms that expand opportunities for women and accelerate inclusive prosperity.”

The event drew high-level government representation, with Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, applauding the initiative and urging continued collaboration across sectors to promote gender inclusion within the financial ecosystem.

“I congratulate NGX Group and its partners for sustaining this important global movement and for championing gender equality within our financial ecosystem,” she said. “Together, let us continue to open the doors of opportunity so the next generation of women can lead with confidence and help transform our world.”

Also lending her voice to the conversation was Chioma Uzodimma, First Lady of Imo State, who called for collective action to ensure that women and girls are empowered to thrive in all spheres of society.

“As we sound the NGX Gong today, let it symbolize our shared pledge to protect every girl child, expand opportunities for every woman, and build an inclusive economy where every woman and girl can flourish,” she said.

From the perspective of market operations, Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, emphasized that greater participation by women would deepen Nigeria’s capital market and strengthen the foundation for sustainable economic growth.

Global development partners also highlighted the economic case for gender inclusion. Claude Owona, Regional Industry Manager for Financial Institutions at the International Finance Corporation, stressed that capital markets can play a pivotal role in translating gender equality commitments into measurable outcomes.

“Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is both symbolic and practical, because capital markets do not just reflect economies, they shape them,” she said. “When women have equitable access to finance, leadership opportunities, and safe, inclusive workplaces, companies perform better and economies grow stronger.”

The ceremony also featured inspirational contributions from leading figures in Nigeria’s creative industries. Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife Media, encouraged women to pursue their ambitions with purpose and resilience.

“For me, it comes down to four things; purpose, passion, progress, and power,” she said. “Find your purpose, let passion fuel your journey, stay consistent even when challenges arise, and most importantly, stand firmly in your power. Do not shrink.”

Award-winning filmmaker and actor Funke Akindele echoed that message, urging women to combine ambition with discipline and courage.

“To every woman out there, you can do it,” she said. “But beyond the words, we must put in the hard work, build structure into our businesses, and do things the right way. It takes courage to take the first step even when you’re not ready, courage to stay consistent when no one is clapping, and courage to hold firmly to your vision.”

The ceremony celebrated the contributions of women to Nigeria’s capital markets and the broader economy, while reinforcing the need for sustained action to close gender gaps in leadership, finance, and opportunity.

This year’s event was organised in collaboration with global partners including the World Federation of Exchanges, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, alongside the International Finance Corporation and UN Women.

As the closing gong sounded, stakeholders delivered a unified message: advancing gender equality requires more than dialogue. It demands sustained collaboration, deliberate policies, and collective action across governments, institutions, and markets.

Through initiatives like Ring the Bell for Gender Equality, NGX Group and its partners say they aim to continue championing inclusive capital markets, recognising that empowering women is not only a social priority but also essential for building a stronger and more resilient economy.