Gender diversity now a governance imperative, not just a social cause, says NGX Group CEO
- Gender diversity has become a core governance and business strategy in Nigeria, with all NGX-30 companies now having at least one woman on their boards.
- NGX Group supports inclusion through initiatives like EquipHER and partnerships such as Nigeria2Equal, helping thousands of women advance in the capital market and corporate leadership.
- Women now hold 31.1% of board seats among top listed firms, with five female CEOs leading NGX-30 companies, marking record progress in gender representation.
Gender equity is no longer merely a moral cause in corporate Nigeria; it has become central to governance, profitability, and long-term business resilience, according to Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group).
Speaking at the 2025 WIMBIZ Annual Conference, Popoola highlighted that for the first time, none of the NGX-30 companies has an all-male board, a milestone reflecting increasing gender balance across Nigeria’s largest listed firms. “Inclusion is a fundamental pillar of strong governance and a driver of superior business outcomes,” he said. “Gender-diverse boards deliver better oversight, stronger ethical judgment, and greater investor confidence.”
His remarks echoed the keynote address by Dr. Arunma Oteh, OON, Chairperson of the Royal African Society and Academic at the University of Oxford, who called on women to take greater ownership of the nation’s progress. “Female participation is critical, and smart, for the country,” she said. “Let us own Nigeria’s journey and do our best to safeguard its legacies.”
