Nigeria’s Minister Oduwole Urges Women to Drive Economic Growth Through Trade and Entrepreneurship

The Nigerian Federal Government is actively encouraging women to fully participate in trade and entrepreneurship as a key driver of the nation’s economic growth. This message was delivered by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, during International Women’s Day celebrations on Friday, March 8, 2026, in Abuja.

Expanding Opportunities for Women

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The 2026 theme, “Supply to Gain,” underscores the importance of generosity and collaboration in achieving gender equality. Oduwole emphasized that the celebrations aim to broaden opportunities for women and strengthen their contributions to trade, entrepreneurship, and overall national development [apanews.net].

Government Support and Strategic Focus

The Minister urged women to proactively acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to capitalize on government policies and emerging economic opportunities. Specifically, she encouraged exploration of sectors like agribusiness, manufacturing, and export trade. Women were also advised to leverage available grants, funding programs, and cooperative initiatives designed to foster enterprise growth [apanews.net].

“The future of Nigeria’s economy will be shaped by how well we empower women to participate fully in trade, industry, and investment,” Oduwole stated [apanews.net].

Adapting to the Evolving Global Economy

Oduwole also highlighted the need for continuous learning, digital innovation, and the development of multiple income streams to maintain competitiveness in the rapidly changing global economy. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women through targeted policies, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives [apanews.net].

Ministry Commitment to Gender Inclusion

Nura Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, acknowledged progress in promoting gender inclusion within the ministry. Despite existing funding constraints, he assured continued support for initiatives focused on women [apanews.net]. “Even with the funding challenges we face, our commitment to ensuring that women-focused programmes remain a priority in this ministry has not wavered,” he said [apanews.net].

Equipping Women for Economic Empowerment

Hauwa Sarki, Head of the Gender Unit within the ministry, explained that programs are designed to expose women to strategic policies, mentorship opportunities, and entrepreneurial pathways. The goal is to provide women with the practical knowledge, mentorship, and confidence needed to translate policy opportunities into tangible economic empowerment [apanews.net].

Skills Over Money for Long-Term Impact

In a related event, Minister Oduwole advised women seeking long-term influence and economic power to prioritize building strong skills rather than focusing solely on immediate financial gains [businessday.ng]. She emphasized that skills provide a sustainable foundation for success, while financial rewards can be temporary [businessday.ng].

Oduwole also stressed the importance of strategic thinking and agenda-setting, stating, “If you are not agenda-setting, you are on the menu,” [punchng.com] and [channelstv.com].