Sanwo-Olu, Akindele, Others Call for Greater Investment in Women

By: Amarachi Okonkwo

The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, alongside prominent entertainers and professionals including Funke Akindele, Waje, Kaffy, Ara, and Yinka Davies, have called for stronger investment in women as a pathway to accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth.

The call was made during a high-level gathering hosted by Wema Bank in Lagos to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026. The event brought together business leaders, professionals and entertainers to advocate gender inclusion and highlight the role of women in driving sustainable economic development.

Guided by the 2026 theme, “Give To Gain,” and the sub-theme “When Women Gain, We Grow,” the forum focused on strengthening institutional support systems and promoting strategic investment in women as a catalyst for broader economic prosperity.

In his keynote address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, stressed that empowering women remains a fundamental pillar for sustainable development.

According to him, the global push for gender equality is not only a social priority but also an economic necessity.

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“The global advocacy for gender equality is a fundamental pillar upon which our collective progress rests,” Oseni said.

Citing data from UN Women, he noted that despite increasing global attention to gender equality, significant challenges remain.

“As of 2025, UN Women reported that about 10 per cent of women still live in extreme poverty, and this figure has remained largely unchanged since 2020,” he said. “By 2030, projections indicate that more than 350 million women and girls could still be trapped in extreme poverty.”

Oseni explained that the persistence of poverty among women is largely driven by gaps in gender inclusion across economic systems.

“This is not because women are not working,” he said. “It is a ripple effect of the gaps that still exist in gender inclusion, a dilemma that affects not only women but society as a whole.”

He emphasised that greater economic participation by women could unlock significant growth opportunities for businesses and the broader economy.

“The truth is that investing in women is investing in the economy and society at large. The more opportunities and resources we provide for women, the faster we bridge existing gaps and accelerate economic prosperity,” he added.

During a panel session, filmmaker Funke Akindele reflected on the personal sacrifices and discipline required to achieve professional success in the creative industry.

“We are seeing the billions, the accolades and the congratulations, and people say they want to be like Funke,” she said. “But what it cost me to be sitting here today is a lot. It took my time. I didn’t have a life — no party life, no social life.”

As part of its commitment to supporting women-led initiatives, Wema Bank presented the SARA Gives to Empower Her Award, recognising five women who have demonstrated measurable impact through initiatives that empower others.

Each of the award recipients received grants aimed at scaling their projects and expanding their social impact.

In addition, the bank recognised male allies through its He for She Award, honouring five male employees for their proactive role in promoting gender equality and advocating women’s empowerment within the organisation.

The event also featured the launch of the Wema Bank Girl Child Journal, a publication designed to inspire and guide young girls through mentorship, career insights and personal development resources.

The journal contains contributions from 80 professionals across various sectors, providing practical advice and reflections intended to support the next generation of female leaders.

Organisers said the initiative forms part of Wema Bank’s broader strategy to promote gender inclusion, build leadership capacity among women and foster long-term economic growth through inclusive development.