The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to expanding economic opportunities for Nigerian women as political leaders, government officials, diplomats, financial institutions, private-sector stakeholders and gender advocates gathered in Abuja for the 2nd National Gender Inclusion Conference.

The conference, held on Wednesday at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, was organised by the Office of the Vice President through the Office of the Special Adviser to the President, Dr Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, who reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to creating an economy where women can participate, compete and prosper.

The conference focused on practical measures to improve women’s access to finance, strengthen institutional systems and expand economic opportunities for women across the country.

A major feature of the event was the participation of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum, with First Ladies from various states contributing to discussions on gender inclusion and women’s economic empowerment.

The Chairperson of the Forum and First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, was represented by the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr Gloria Diri.

The conference also attracted the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; and Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar.

Senior officials from key government institutions also attended, including the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof Moji Adeyeye; and Managing Director of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, Uzoma Nwagba.

Their participation highlighted the importance of technology, regulation, consumer credit and institutional reforms in improving women’s participation in the economy.

The Renewed Hope Global team, led by Prince Ade Omole, Prince Adewale Akinyele, Dr Sylvia Okoro and Ambassador Afolabi Oke, also participated alongside representatives of financial institutions and other organisations.

Diplomatic representation at the conference included Botswana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Philda Nani Kereng, and Ambassador Kayode Oguntuase.

Representatives of the Nigeria Revenue Service also participated, with discussions stressing the importance of taxation, business formalisation and sustainable economic systems in supporting women-owned businesses.

Private-sector participation included major financial institutions such as United Bank for Africa, Sterling Bank and Zenith Bank, with stakeholders emphasising the role of banks, investors and businesses in closing financing gaps and creating sustainable opportunities for women-led enterprises.

Participants stressed that gender inclusion must go beyond policy declarations and translate into practical economic interventions supported by access to finance, markets, digital tools, business knowledge and regulatory assistance.

They also underscored the economic value of empowering women, noting that stronger participation by women in business and the wider economy can support household welfare, create jobs, grow enterprises and contribute to Nigeria’s overall development.