L to R. DRNL Consult Limited’s CEO, Mrs. Ronke Onadeko; Dr. Soromidayo George, Chairman of the UN Global Compact Local Network in Nigeria and Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nigerian Bottling Company; Senator John Owan Enoh, Hon. Minister of State for Industry; Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole, President of Commonwealth Business Women Africa; Mrs. Ijeoma Isiolu, Treasurer, Bank of Industry (BOI); and Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder & Chief Responsibility Officer of Ruff & Tumble, at a meeting with Senator John Owan Enoh, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment’s Honourable Minister of State for Industry, has vowed to support an inclusive industrial revolution that includes women in the workforce and shapes Nigeria’s economic destiny.
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The Minister made this pledge at a special event called “An Evening with the Honourable Minister of State for Industry: Inclusive Industrial Revolution Plan,” which was organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and took place in Lagos on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
The purpose of the event was to bring together prominent women in the industry for a meaningful discussion about forming Nigeria’s industrial future. According to Enoh, the special gathering offers a singular chance to talk about the potential and difficulties that women in the field face as well as to investigate tactical avenues for promoting a more sustainable and inclusive industrial revolution.
“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment’s Industrial Revolution in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda must be inclusive and acknowledge the enormous contributions of the leading women in the industry if it is to succeed and achieve its objectives,” he stated. Women’s leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s industrial environment are priceless, he clarified. Since their involvement will be crucial in creating policies and programs that empower women in industry and support Nigeria’s economic development, he urged them to assume their proper place in the Industrial Revolution movement.
He encouraged them to share their main problems in order to come up with long-term fixes and work together to bring about significant change. He revealed that women continue to lead manufacturing, drive strategy, participate, and establish new market frontiers, keeping them at the forefront of industrial innovation. He emphasised that the industrial sector must invest in women’s leadership in the same way that it did in men’s, acknowledging them as equal partners in economic progress.
“Innovation, new ideas, and a range of viewpoints are what industries live on. The most successful businesses, economies, and vibrant industrialised nations understand that you cannot succeed by excluding half of your brightest minds. Competence and industrial competitiveness are at issue here, not gender. And we must get rid of any idea that this is a matter of representation or equity if we are genuinely interested in creating a robust, future-ready manufacturing sector,” he stated. He revealed that he will keep looking for methods to improve cooperation between business and government stakeholders while also addressing possibilities and problems in Nigeria’s industrial environment.
The President of Commonwealth Business Women Africa, Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole, made a strong plea to the Minister on behalf of Nigerian women in industry to encourage their quest for more chances in our economy and decision-making processes during her remarks at the occasion. “Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution depends heavily on women. Our knowledge, expertise, and inventiveness are crucial for promoting innovation and long-term economic success.
We can speed up industrialisation and increase productivity in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, technology, and more, by utilising the skills and viewpoints of women, she stated. Oyewole suggested six quick steps women may take to support Nigeria’s economy and successfully contribute to its industrial resurgence. These include the following: advocacy for inclusive policies, innovation and technology, skill development and training, entrepreneurship and startups, collaboration and partnerships, and the promotion of sustainable practices.
“We implore you to give us further chances to participate in the choices that influence our sectors. Incorporating women into these conversations is not only a matter of equity; it is also a calculated necessity for economic expansion. She went on to say that empowering women opens up new trade and investment opportunities, especially in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
