Nigeria's $1 Trillion Economy Depends on Women's Inclusion

On Wednesday, Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasized that Nigeria's goal of building a $1 trillion economy cannot be realized without the full economic participation of women. Speaking at the Second National Gender Inclusion Conference, #SheIsIncluded 2026, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, Shettima, represented by Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, highlighted the need to address structural barriers that hinder women's access to finance and markets.

He noted that only 47% of Nigerian women have formal financial accounts compared to 58% of men, indicating significant economic potential remains untapped. Shettima outlined initiatives such as the National Income Activation Initiative and the Women in Energy Partnership with the World Bank, aimed at connecting women to skills, capital, and markets.

He cautioned against relying solely on national averages to measure progress, urging policymakers to identify who remains excluded and ensure accountability in program implementation.