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.