Minister of State for Industry, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, has pledged to ensure inclusive industrial revolution that will enable women in industry to shape Nigeria’s industrial future.

The minister made the pledge during a special event tagged, “An Evening with the Minister of State for Industry: Inclusive Industrial Revolution Plan,” held in Lagos, yesterday, and hosted by the ministry to engage distinguished women industry leaders in a meaningful dialogue on shaping Nigeria’s industrial future.

Enoh explained the event provided a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in industry and explore strategic pathways for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable industrial revolution.

“For the industrial revolution of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to be successful and deliver on its goals, it must be an inclusive one that recognises the immense contributions of the leading women in the industry”, he said.

According to him, women’s leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s industrial landscape are invaluable.

He charged them to take their rightful place in the industrial revolution drive, as their participation would be instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that would empower women in industry and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

He urged them to express their key challenges to find lasting solutions and collectively drive impactful change, stating that women remained at the forefront of industrial innovation by participating, driving strategy, leading manufacturing and defining new market frontiers.

“Industries thrive on innovation, fresh thinking and diverse perspectives. The best companies, economies and dynamic industrial nations recognise that you do not win by excluding half of your best minds. This is not about gender, but about competence and industrial competitiveness. And if we are truly serious about building a resilient, future-ready industrial sector, then we must discard every mindset that suggests this is an issue of equity or representation,” he said.

In her remarks at the event, the President of Commonwealth Business Women Africa, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, call on the minister on behalf of women in industry to support their pursuit of greater opportunities.

In her remarks, the Treasurer, Bank of Industry, Ijeoma Isiolu, who represented the Managing Director of BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, commended the minister of state for the event and charged him to make women catch up with men.