The President of NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), Adefunke Kuyoro, has called for concerted efforts to tackle barriers confronting women entrepreneurs.

Specifically, she called for the creation of special interventions for women-led businesses to drive economic growth.

She noted the need to eliminate limitations ranging from limited access to finance and markets to policy constraints and structural inequalities.

Kuyoro spoke at the International Women’s Day forum jointly organised by NNEW, the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Forum in Lagos.

She expressed optimism that through collaboration, advocacy and innovation, stakeholders can collectively create an ecosystem where women-led businesses can thrive.

Represented by NNEW’s Vice President, Bolanle Edwards, she said International Women’s Day is a reminder that while progress has been made, much work still needs to be done.

“At NNEW, we strongly believe that empowering women economically is not just a gender issue; it is an economic imperative. When women succeed in business, families prosper, communities grow stronger and nations experience sustainable development.

“It is an opportunity for us to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive environment for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Let us recommit to empowering women, supporting innovation and building businesses that will shape the future of our nation,” Kuyoro said.

Chairman of ICC Nigeria, Dr Raymond Ihyembe, commended the commitment of women to the development and growth of businesses in the country.

He noted that women have made remarkable progress globally despite centuries of systemic exclusion from leadership and education.

Ihyembe lamented that women were, in the past, denied basic rights, including access to education and voting privileges in many countries.

However, he observed that women have since proven their capacity across various sectors and continue to excel in leadership, education and professional fields.

Nigeria’s development challenges, he said, require stronger participation of women in business, governance and nation-building.

“Empowering women should not be seen as a token gesture. It is a right. Any nation that refuses to empower women and utilise their talents does a great disservice to itself,” he added.

Keynote speaker and Group Executive Director of Rain Oil Limited, Godfrey Ogbechie, said women, who represent about 50 per cent of the human population, should be treated with equity and equality in all facets of life.

She expressed concern about female representation in some public sector spaces, which has been declining instead of improving.

Ogbechie also lamented that issues such as physical and sexual abuse, maternal and post-natal care, and lack of access to education remain challenges women continue to face.

“The data shows that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence. Nigeria records approximately 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, contributing around 10 per cent of global maternal deaths. Also, 18.3 million children are out of school in Nigeria, and nearly 60 per cent of them are women and girls,” she said.

She stressed the need to resolve long-standing issues that have inhibited the advancement of women and girls, adding that women must remain at the forefront of providing solutions to these challenges.

The Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, represented by Nike Ajala, said women have continued to play vital roles in driving economic opportunities, shaping workplaces and contributing significantly to organisational success.

He urged women to work together to advance policies that protect women, particularly in the business environment.

“For us, supporting women’s advancement is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic investment. We believe empowering women is essential to building a sustainable and prosperous workforce,” he said.

Earlier, Chairperson of the International Women’s Day Planning Committee, Olubisi Abijo, said the celebration is a call to action to ensure equal access to opportunities and leadership for women.

She stressed the need for collaboration to ensure that policies on women’s development are translated into action and deliver real impact.