Emir of Kano and former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has underscored the significant progress made in Nigeria’s banking sector following a deliberate policy introduced in 2012, which resulted in the appointment of nine female CEOs.
Sanusi, speaking at the 2024 Annual Conference of the Nkata Ndi Inyom (NNII) in Abuja, pointed to the accomplishments as a testament to the success of initiatives that increased women’s representation in leadership roles within the financial industry.
He also noted the rising number of female directors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which reflects broader advancements in gender equality.
The achievement in the banking sector Sanusi indicated has underlined the importance of empowering women through education.

“My days in the Central Bank, the female bankers decided to make me an honorary woman. And this was after we declared 2012 the year of global investing, and pushed through policies for compelling banks to make sure at least 50% of new recruits were female, to make at least 40% of senior management female, and to make at least 30% of the board female.
“We started this in 2012 and I think the result is that by last year, we now had at least nine female bank CEOs in this country, and the banking industry has the highest number of female directors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
“I say this because the woman holds the key to development, and as a UN Secretary General advocate for SDGs, have always said that if we’re looking for a single silver bullet that goes through most, not all the problems that we are facing in development, it is to educate the girl Child.
“You can think of all the issues, starting from lack of antenatal care, malnutrition, lack of immunization out of school, children, child marriage, all of those issues are addressed simply by providing the infrastructure and the support for the girl child to be educated up to the age of 18 to 20.”
He said it is essential for addressing key societal issues such as poverty, malnutrition, and maternal mortality.
He argued that supporting women, particularly during pregnancy and early child-rearing, has intergenerational benefits that can help mitigate some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
The former Central Bank Governor also took a swipe at Nigeria’s political culture, urging a return to values of integrity and service.
He criticized the transactional nature of modern politics, which often prioritized material wealth and titles over personal character, and emphasized the vital role of mothers in shaping future generations.

Sanusi concluded by urging the conference participants to use the gathering as a platform to redefine leadership in Nigeria, emphasizing that sustainable national progress depends on empowering women and prioritizing their well-being.
Former Senate President, Pius Anyim echoed similar sentiments, urging the restoration of justice and fairness as foundational values for Nigeria’s development. Drawing from Igbo proverbs, he emphasized the critical role of women in shaping society and decision-making.
Anyim pointed out that societies cannot achieve peace or progress without fairness, and he called on leaders to focus on values that contribute to national growth.
He concluded by stressing that only by embracing justice and fairness can Nigeria achieve lasting peace and progress.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the essential role of women in promoting unity, development, and inclusivity in Nigeria.
Kalu highlighted the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to advancing gender equality, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.
He praised the efforts made to tackle gender-based violence, insecurity, and economic disempowerment and encouraged collaborative solutions.
Kalu concluded by urging a redefinition of leadership to restore core values and drive Nigeria’s growth.
Senator Rochas Okorocha urged Nigerian women to step into leadership roles, advocating for a collective renewal of the nation’s mindset.

“Transformation can only take place with the renewal of our minds,” Okorocha said. He praised the resilience and leadership of Igbo women, describing them as the “pillar of support” behind many great 1¹1Nigerian men. “Every great man has an Igbo woman supporting him. She is not just a woman; she is the strength a1nd the soul of leadership,” of of and tax, urging them not to give up on their transformative potential.
Founder/President General Worldwide of the foundation, Iyom Josephine Anenih called on Nigerian women to take collective action in addressing national issues such as insecurity, underdevelopment, and lack of peace.
She emphasized the shared challenges women face across ethnic and regional lines and highlighted their responsibility in nurturing future leaders.
Anenih advocated for collaboration with men to achieve peace and progress while urging immediate, sustained action beyond mere dialogue. She underscored Nigeria’s potential as a global leader, stressing that women must lead efforts to restore the nation’s greatness.

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections Peter Obi, has described the girl-child is key to the future of our country. Empowering her with education, healthcare, and equal opportunities is not just a moral duty but an essential investment in development of Nigeria
Obi spoke in Kaduna when he participated in the Kaduna Girl-Child Conference/Award 2024, an initiative organized by the Creative Think Tank Group and Bounty Food Bank after his speaking engagement in Yola, Adamawa State.
Though he arrived late due to his previous commitment in Yola, Obi indicated that he was deeply inspired by the commitment shown to the girl-child’s rights and development.

“The girl-child is key to the future of our country. Empowering her with education, healthcare, and equal opportunities is not just a moral duty but an essential investment in our national growth,”
He emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers and creating safe spaces for girls to realize their full potential.

In addition, Obi visited the Womanhood College of Health Sciences and Technology in Kaduna, an institution dedicated to training women for careers in healthcare.
He donated ₦5 million in support of their efforts, promising to continue supporting institutions that play a crucial role in shaping future leaders.

Obi also disclosed his plans to visit Saint Gerard’s Nursing School, where he had previously donated ₦10 million.
Due to heavy traffic, he couldn’t attend in person but spoke with the management, expressing his apologies and offering an additional ₦5 million to further support the school’s mission.

Through these actions, Obi reinforced his belief that prioritizing education and healthcare is crucial for building a stronger Nigeria. “A new Nigeria is now very POssible,” he concluded.

***Millions of Nigerian Women to Live on Less Than $2.15 Per Day by 2030

With over 27,698 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) recorded between 2020 and 2023, the 100 Women Lobby Group National Hub has called for urgent action to address the alarming rise in violence against women, compounded by worsening economic conditions.
Speaking at an event marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, on a topic; Today’s economy and gender based Violence in Nigeria via Zoom over the weekend, Coordinator Felicia Onibon highlighted the critical need for comprehensive strategies to combat both violence and poverty.
“These figures are not just numbers; they represent the lives of women and girls who have suffered,” Onibon stated.
“Economic hardship has made many women more vulnerable to abuse, and we must act now to change this narrative.”

The event drew attention to the economic challenges facing Nigerian women, with current projections showing that millions will still live on less than $2.15 a day by 2030.
Onibon emphasized that poverty exacerbates women’s vulnerability to violence, noting that many are forced to prioritize their families’ needs over their own, often at great personal cost.
“Women are more food insecure than men, and the constant financial stress leaves them more susceptible to exploitation and abuse,” Onibon explained.

Onibon also criticized the inefficiency of Nigeria’s judicial system in handling GBV cases.
She pointed out that many cases languish in the courts for years, with a disturbingly low conviction rate.
“The lack of accountability within the justice system perpetuates a culture of impunity,” she said. “Survivors often remain silent, knowing that their chances of receiving justice are slim.”

The 100 Women Lobby Group urged policymakers, civil society organizations, and international partners to work together to address the intertwined issues of economic hardship and GBV.
Onibon called for increased investment in women’s economic empowerment and reforms to ensure swift justice for survivors.
“Ending GBV requires a multi-faceted approach,” she said.
“We need to address the root causes, from poverty to weak legal protections, and ensure that women have the resources to rebuild their lives.”

As the 16 Days of Activism continue, the 100 Women Lobby Group remains committed to raising awareness and advocating for systemic change. Onibon concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective action to ensure a future where women and girls are safe, empowered, and economically secure.
“Together, we can break the cycle of violence and poverty,” she said. “The time to act is now.”