The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has called for increased participation of women in Nigeria’s trade, industrial and investment sectors as part of efforts to drive economic growth and national development.
This call was made during a special programme organised by the ministry in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day, with a focus on expanding opportunities for women and strengthening their role in entrepreneurship and economic advancement.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, emphasised the need to equip women with the knowledge and tools required to take advantage of government policies and emerging economic opportunities.
She encouraged women within and outside the ministry to explore prospects in agribusiness, manufacturing and export trade, while leveraging available grants, funding programmes and cooperative initiatives designed to support enterprise growth.
According to the minister, the future of Nigeria’s economy will depend largely on the level of empowerment and participation of women in trade, industry and investment.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Nura Abba Rimi, acknowledged the progress made in promoting gender inclusion within the ministry.
He noted that despite funding constraints, the ministry remains committed to sustaining programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering women.
Earlier, the Head of the Gender Unit, Hauwa Usman Sarki, explained that the programme was designed to expose female staff to strategic policies, mentorship opportunities and practical pathways for entrepreneurship and innovation within the ministry’s ecosystem.
She said the initiative seeks to equip women with practical knowledge, mentorship and the confidence needed to transform policy opportunities into tangible economic empowerment.
In her remarks, the Director of the Industrial Inspectorate Department highlighted the opportunities available to women entrepreneurs under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides access to a market of more than 1.3 billion people across Africa.
She also pointed to initiatives such as the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy programme, which supports women-owned businesses through digital trade platforms.
Other speakers at the programme urged women to embrace continuous learning, digital innovation and multiple income streams in order to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global economy.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to supporting women through policies, training programmes and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening their participation in trade, industry and investment.