Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that women will be at the forefront of Africa’s projected $29 trillion economic transformation, aimed at advancing gender equality and economic empowerment.

According to Shettima, gender inclusion is not merely a rhetorical commitment, but a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development agenda. Shettima spoke in Abuja when he declared open the First Gender Inclusion Conference: #SheIsIncluded to bridge gender gaps in finance and the broader economy held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This is as United Bank for Africa (UBA) declared that move to promote gender inclusion would serve as panacea for breaking the barriers of poverty and economic stagnation in the country, if properly implemented.

The conference, with the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” builds on the 2024 Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion, and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls.

“We cannot build the Nigeria or Africa we envision without fully integrating women into our economic systems. Women are not just participants in our economy; they are leaders, innovators and the bedrock of sustainable development,” the Vice President stated.

According to him, Project #SheIsIncluded is built on four key pillars of education and financial literacy, maternal healthcare, gender-sensitive policies and programmes, and expanded economic opportunities for women. He also announced that the initiative would reach all 774 local council areas across Nigeria to ensure that no woman was left behind.

“Our commitment to gender inclusion is not a cosmetic performance to placate the sensibilities of progressives; it is a fundamental pillar of our national development agenda. We are not just assuring the women of Nigeria of their place in our collective journey, we are creating the pathways for them to lead the charge,” Shettima said.

In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere- Ekun, said the conference was an important milestone in the collective effort to outline ways of breaking barriers towards empowering women and promoting inclusion.

She said gender inclusion was a key enabler of sustainable development and central to addressing poverty and fostering economic growth, noting that it should translate into financial independence, wealth creation, and leadership development for women across different sectors.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs and Group Managing Director (GMD) of the United Bank for Africa UBA PLC, Mr Oliver Alawuba, commended the Federal government, describing the move as a bold initiative with the potential to create opportunities for everyone to thrive.

Citing the examples at the United Bank for Africa Plc, he said: “We know this truth firsthand. With nearly 50 per cent of our board members being women, 40 per cent of Senior Management roles held by women, and 59 per cent of our graduate management trainees being female, we have witnessed firsthand how inclusive leadership drives unprecedented growth and innovation across our 24-country footprint.

According to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Shettima’s support and push for inclusive growth resonates with everything he has done since assuming office and is central to the agenda of the National Economic Council (NEC).