Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, in collaboration with Central Securities Clearing System Plc and Women in Management, Business and Public Service, convened leaders from across the public and private sectors to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026 through the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative, on Tuesday.

Aligned with the UN Women theme, “Rights, Justice, Action – For All Women and Girls,” the event, held during the Nigerian Exchange Closing Gong Ceremony, served as a call for sustained action to advance gender equality and expand women’s participation in economic leadership.

Delivering the welcome address, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, emphasised the critical role capital markets must play in shaping inclusive economic growth.

“Capital markets are powerful engines for economic transformation. 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,” he said.

Delivering special remarks, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasised NGX Group and its partners for advancing gender inclusion through the initiative.

“I congratulate NGX Group and its partners for sustaining this important global movement and for championing gender equality within our financial ecosystem. 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,” she said.

The First Lady of Imo State, Chioma Uzodimma, called for collective action to expand opportunities for women and girls.
“As we sound the NGX Gong today, let it symbolise 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.

The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange, Jude Chiemeka, emphasised the importance of broadening women’s participation in the capital market ecosystem.

“When more women participate in the market as investors and professionals, we deepen the market and strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth,” he said.

Speaking on the role of development finance institutions in advancing gender inclusion, Claude Owona, Regional Industry Manager for Financial Institutions at the International Finance Corporation for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, emphasised the economic benefits of gender equality.

“When women and men participate equally in the economy, our societies function better, and our economies become more prosperous,” she said.

Media entrepreneur and founder of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, encouraged women to pursue their ambitions with clarity and confidence. “For me, it comes down to four things: purpose, passion, progress, and power. 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,” she said.

Award-winning actor and filmmaker. Funke Akindele, urged women to pursue their ambitions with discipline and courage.

“To every woman out there, you can do it. 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,” she said.

PUNCH Online reports that the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 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.

The 2026 edition was organised in collaboration with global partners including the International Finance Corporation, UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative.

The event also featured the participation of female board members of NGX Group of companies, Ojinika Olaghere, Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman, Lilian Olubi, Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Amina Mohammed, and Fiona Ahime, alongside key ecosystem leaders, including Onome Komolafe, Divisional Head, Business Services and Client Experience, CSCS Plc; Jumoke Olaniyan, Group Chief Strategy Officer, NGX Group; Uto Ukpanah, Chairperson, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria; and Mrs Omowumi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director, WIMBIZ.

As the closing gong sounded, stakeholders echoed a common message: advancing gender equality requires more than dialogue. It requires sustained collaboration, deliberate action, and a collective commitment across governments, institutions, and markets to expand opportunities for women and girls.

Through initiatives such as Ring the Bell for Gender Equality, NGX Group and its partners continue to champion inclusive markets, recognising that empowering women is essential to building stronger capital markets and a more resilient economy.