IFC, NGX Group, LCCI Launch Gender Inclusion Drive in Nigeria

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have unveiled the Nigeria Gender Country Program(NGCP) during a high level virtual CEO Roundtable, to strengthen private-sector action on gender equality and inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.

The event brought together chief executives and senior business leaders from NGX-listed companies, IFC client organizations, and LCCI member firms. They came to introduce the program’s strategic framework, set up alignment among stakeholders around shared objectives, and get real momentum in place before the formal launch.

This Nigeria Gender Country Program is built on the wins of Nigeria2Equal, and several other initiatives that empowered workplace inclusion, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and sustainable finance across the country. It is designed as a shared platform, and the idea is to scale impact through better coordination, between development institutions, business leaders, regulators and the organized private sector, so everybody moves together in practice.

Key Highlights:

• Nigeria launches coordinated private-sector gender inclusion growth program.
• Initiative focuses on leadership, jobs, finance, and markets.
• CEOs urged to drive measurable gender equality outcomes.

Delivering the keynote address, Emomotimi Agama, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) emphasized the role of gender inclusion, in powering economic progress, and that it really matters.

“Gender inclusion is fundamentally an economic growth imperative. Closing gender gaps can unlock billions of dollars in value for Nigeria, while also strengthening business performance and national competitiveness. We must therefore move beyond viewing inclusion as a corporate social responsibility initiative, or a compliance exercise, and instead recognize it as a strategic driver of productivity, innovation, and long-term economic growth,” he said .

Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, described the NGCP as a strategic platform able to speed up women’s economic participation through deeper cooperation among market stakeholders, development institutions and the private sector.

“The Nigeria Gender Country Program presents a major chance to deepen impact, and to also accelerate progress across corporate Nigeria. By expanding women’s access to leadership chances, quality employment, finance, technology, and markets, we can unlock substantial economic value. At the same time building a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient private sector,” he noted.

Christian Mulamula, the IFC Head of Office in Lagos, actually pointed out the economic upside of closing gender gaps, saying that gender inequality is estimated to cost Africa as much as $2.5 trillion. He mentioned that the program focuses not only on practical and measurable ways to help businesses grow, while also supporting a more inclusive development.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director General of LCCI, emphasized that whether the program lasts in the long run will hinge on leadership accountability, and the continuous resolve from business leaders, so gender inclusion can be baked into corporate strategy, and then carried through in day to day execution.

The partners are expected to formally launch Nigeria Gender Country Program at an in person event set for July 9 2026, where stakeholders will further implementing the program’s strategic priorities, and also reinforce their promises toward a more inclusive yet competitive Nigerian economy.