Women in leadership Nigeria are increasingly breaking down long‑standing barriers in traditionally male‑dominated fields, from banking to technology and policymaking. The shift reflects a broader cultural change where female talent is recognised for its capacity to lead, innovate and deliver results at the highest levels. Rising Presence in Corporate Nigeria Decades ago women were told they were not ‘tough’ enough for leadership positions, ‘rational’ sufficient for finance, and ‘technical’ enough for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Today, research shows that women are running Fortune 500 companies, leading financial institutions, building groundbreaking tech, and driving policy at global levels. Across various sectors of the economy, data show that more women are evolving and, even in some industries, outpacing their male counterparts. In the banking and financial sector, which was once overwhelmingly male, a 2022 research indicated marginal gains in gender diversity among the country’s top 10 commercial banks. The attrition rate for males stood at eight per cent, while females experienced a five per cent attrition rate during the period. This contrasted with the preceding years of 2021 and 2020 when both genders had an average attrition rate of three per cent. By 2024, the Nigerian banking industry boasted of 10 female bank chief executive officers. With about 26 major banks, the number of female CEOs soared from just one in 2019 to 10 in 2024, representing 36 per cent of Nigerian major banks’ chief executive officers. Analysts said the increasing presence of female MDs within Nigerian banks highlights the acknowledgement of women’s capabilities and their significant role in driving the country’s economic progress. One bank’s 2024 gender breakdown illustrates the trend: total employees were 7,704, with 4,090 females and 3,614 males, a 53‑to‑47 per cent split. According to 2022 data by Statista, the share of female workers globally by industry was about 65 per cent in healthcare and care services; 54 per cent in education, 52 per cent in customer services and 50 per cent in government and public offices, among others. Voices from the Front Line “Seeing other women succeed in business, politics, and other fields has also inspired more women to aim higher. Society is slowly changing too—people now value fairness and inclusion more than before. Most of all, women are pushing forward, building strong support systems and helping each other grow,” she said. Ola Oladere, a financial wellness expert, noted that supportive policies and global campaigns have opened more doors. She stressed that mentorship, equal pay, flexible work and leadership opportunities are essential. “Those in power must create space for qualified women, and we must keep telling the stories of those already breaking barriers—because seeing success inspires more of it,” she said. Oladere highlighted that women often approach leadership with empathy, collaboration, and long‑term vision, qualities increasingly valuable in today’s complex work environments. “It is about ensuring the best person leads, no matter the gender. There is an intrinsic difference in the way women and men think, that is true, but this does not always determine that a gender will do well over the other,” said Victory Mesona, entrepreneur and founder of Growth Padi. Mesona added that despite stronger pushes for workplace equality, many women have worked hard to build strong careers, proven their skills, and created networks that helped them grow and rise. She observed that women bring a different style of leadership that helps solve problems better or manage teams differently, but the goal is not competition—it is

Advancing Women’s Potential for a Stronger Society Women are the backbone of many families, communities, businesses, and agricultural enterprises across Nigeria. They nurture families, sustain livelihoods, contribute to food production, drive commerce, and play vital roles in community development. Yet, many women continue to face challenges that limit their access to economic opportunities, education, finance, leadership, and personal development. Empowering women is therefore not just a matter of fairness; it is an essential investment in the future of families, communities, and the nation. At the Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA), we believe every woman deserves the opportunity to discover her potential, develop her abilities, and pursue a future defined by dignity, independence, and meaningful participation in society. Why Women’s Empowerment Matters Women’s empowerment goes beyond providing temporary assistance. It involves creating an environment where women can make informed decisions, access resources, develop valuable skills, and participate actively in the economic and social development of their communities. When women are empowered, families can benefit from stronger livelihoods, businesses can gain new opportunities for growth, and communities can become more resilient. Women who receive the right support can also become mentors, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and advocates for positive change. For these reasons, advancing women’s opportunities should remain a shared responsibility involving individuals, communities, organisations, institutions, and government. Economic Independence: Giving Women the Tools to Succeed Economic independence is an important foundation for women’s empowerment. Across Nigeria, women engage in farming, trading, food processing, crafts, small-scale manufacturing, and other income-generating activities. Many demonstrate remarkable determination while operating with limited resources. Access to business education, finance, markets, technology, and professional networks can help women improve their operations and pursue sustainable growth. Supporting women economically also means recognising their contributions, strengthening their entrepreneurial abilities, and encouraging an environment where their ideas and businesses can thrive. AWITA advocates approaches that equip women with the knowledge, connections, and opportunities necessary to participate more effectively in trade and agriculture. Education, Skills and Personal Development Knowledge and practical skills can open doors to new opportunities. Women who have access to relevant training and mentorship are better positioned to identify opportunities, manage resources, make informed decisions, and respond to changing economic conditions. Continuous learning is particularly important in a world shaped by technological advancement, changing markets, and new business models. Investing in women’s development means encouraging lifelong learning, promoting practical capacity building, and ensuring that women have opportunities to strengthen their abilities regardless of their background or current economic circumstances. Breaking Barriers Through Collective Action Many challenges affecting women cannot be addressed by individuals working alone. Financial constraints, unequal access to opportunities, limited market connections, and inadequate representation require coordinated efforts and sustained advocacy. Collective action enables women to share experiences, exchange knowledge, build networks, and advocate for their common interests. Through cooperation, women can strengthen their voices and contribute to solutions that respond to their needs. Organisations such as AWITA provide a platform for advancing these shared interests by promoting partnership, inclusion, capacity building, and collaboration among women and relevant stakeholders. Women as Leaders and Agents of Change Women are not only participants in development; they are also leaders capable of shaping its direction. In business, agriculture, education, community service, and public life, women bring skills, experience, and perspectives that can contribute to effective decision-making. Encouraging women’s leadership requires creating opportunities for participation, recognising competence, supporting mentorship, and promoting fair representation. When women are given the opportunity to lead, they can inspire others, contribute to community solutions, and help create pathways for future generations. Building a Future Where Every Woman Can Thrive A society that values women must go beyond recognising their contributions. It must also work towards removing barriers, expanding opportunities, and creating conditions in which women can develop their abilities and achieve their aspirations. This requires sustained commitment to economic empowerment, education, mentorship, access to resources, and inclusive development. At AWITA, the goal is to contribute to a future in which women in trade and agriculture are better equipped to overcome challenges, build resilient businesses, and participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s economic growth. Empowering a woman creates opportunities that can extend beyond her individual success. It can strengthen families, inspire communities, and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria. Together, we can help create a future where every woman has the opportunity to grow, lead, and succeed.

Women are central to Nigeria’s agricultural and commercial sectors. From cultivating food and managing agricultural value chains to running small businesses and navigating local markets, women contribute significantly to economic development. Yet, many continue to face barriers to finance, training, market access, representation, and business growth. The Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA) is committed to changing this reality by creating opportunities for women to develop their skills, strengthen their businesses, and participate more effectively in Nigeria’s economic landscape. With a presence across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), AWITA works to advance the interests of women in trade and agriculture through training, empowerment, exposure, and mentorship. Its activities span the country’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting a commitment to inclusive development and grassroots participation. At the heart of AWITA’s work is a simple but powerful conviction: when women have access to the right opportunities, resources, knowledge, and support, they can build stronger enterprises, improve livelihoods, and contribute more meaningfully to national development. Our Roots: From Shared Struggles to Collective Strength AWITA emerged from the recognition that women working in trade and agriculture often encounter persistent economic and structural challenges despite their essential contributions to society. Many women farmers work hard to sustain agricultural production but lack adequate access to resources and opportunities. Traders face changing market conditions and financial constraints, while women entrepreneurs must often navigate barriers that limit their ability to expand their businesses and compete effectively. These challenges highlight the importance of collective action, advocacy, and practical support. AWITA represents a commitment to bringing women together to address these concerns, amplify their voices, and create pathways towards greater economic participation. Rather than viewing women merely as beneficiaries of development, the association recognises them as active contributors, business leaders, agricultural producers, and agents of change. Through collaboration and shared purpose, AWITA seeks to strengthen the capacity of women to overcome barriers, pursue opportunities, and build more resilient economic futures. The T.E.E.M. Approach: Training, Empowerment, Exposure and Mentorship A defining feature of AWITA’s work is its T.E.E.M. approach — Training, Empowerment, Exposure and Mentorship. This framework reflects the association’s commitment to equipping women with the knowledge, opportunities, and support needed to succeed in trade and agriculture. Training Training helps women strengthen their business knowledge, improve their practical skills, and understand the opportunities available within their sectors. Through capacity-building initiatives, AWITA promotes learning that can support better business decisions, improved productivity, and sustainable growth. Empowerment Economic empowerment is essential to building independence and resilience. AWITA seeks to support women in developing their capabilities, strengthening their enterprises, and pursuing opportunities that can improve their livelihoods and economic participation. Exposure Exposure connects women to wider opportunities, networks, markets, and development initiatives. By encouraging engagement and collaboration, AWITA seeks to help women broaden their perspectives, discover new possibilities, and position their businesses for growth. Mentorship Mentorship provides guidance, encouragement, and the opportunity to learn from experience. Through a culture of support and shared knowledge, AWITA promotes the development of women who can grow their enterprises, support others, and contribute to the advancement of women in their communities. Together, these four pillars express AWITA’s commitment to supporting women beyond immediate assistance by promoting knowledge, capability, confidence, and long-term development.