Stakeholders have called for increased gender inclusiveness across leadership, finance, and employment sectors, warning that persistent inequality could hinder Nigeria’s economic growth ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was made during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja, with the theme “Communicate to Balance: Gain Equity, Empower Women.”
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, highlighted structural barriers limiting women’s participation in the economy.
She identified financial exclusion, rigid workplace systems, and inadequate institutional support—especially during childbearing years—as major factors forcing many women out of the workforce at the peak of their careers.
According to her, such challenges create leadership gaps that negatively impact productivity and organisational performance nationwide.
Similarly, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, stressed that empowering women is critical to national prosperity and stability.
“When young girls see women lead, they begin to believe that leadership is possible,” Kefas said, urging leaders to be deliberate about equity and inclusion in governance and politics.
“If we are sincere about development, then we must be intentional about empowering women. No society rises above the value it places on its women,” he added.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, underscored the vital contributions of women to national development, noting that they have never been mere spectators in Nigeria’s progress.
“History teaches us that when women are enabled to contribute, societies flourish,” Neliaku said, highlighting their impact across public service, media, corporate leadership, and civil society.
He also criticised societal contradictions in attitudes toward women leadership, noting that while women are revered in family roles, they often face resistance in leadership positions.
Participants at the event stressed that bridging gender gaps in finance, employment, and governance is essential for sustainable development, calling for deliberate policies that promote equity and unlock the full economic potential of women in Nigeria.