Why all must be dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment, by UBA GMD Oliver Alawuba

The Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africw Pls, Oliver Alawuba, has insisted that advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women is the cornerstone of any nation’s development, including that of Nigeria.

Alawuba spoke on October 15 at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, venue of the Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment, and Fund Raising Programme.

The UBA’s boss delivered the keynote address at the event with theme, ‘Farming to Feed the Nation, Empowerment to Give Women Voices, Justice for Crimes to Have Consequences via Mobile Court.’

The particular day event was tagged, ‘EMPOWERHER, which Alaeuba described as a beacon of hope and a call to action for the holistic empowerment of women across Nigeria.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his administration’s support the advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development.

He also hailed the President’s wife, Oluremi, for her drive toward improving the social, economic, and political standing of women in Nigeria.

He said the Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, had also showed unwavering commitment to addressing the issues of gender inequality, women’s empowerment, and the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and children.

He added, “Today’s theme, “Farming to Feed the Nation, Empowerment to Give Women Voices, and Justice for Crimes to Have Consequences via Mobile Court,” captures the essence of the multifaceted issues confronting women in Nigeria and the need for a comprehensive response.”

He noted that women were the backbone of Agriculture in Nigeria, contributing over 70% of the labour force in the sector.

“Yet, despite their indispensable role in feeding the nation, many women farmers remain under-resourced and lack access to financing, land, and technology. Empowering women in Agriculture is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics, women make up 49.3% of Nigeria’s population, and an estimated 70% of women in rural areas are engaged in Agriculture. Closing this gap is critical for boosting food security, reducing poverty, and driving inclusive growth.

“Why must we empower women? Because when women thrive, societies prosper. The United Nations has consistently emphasized that gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the heart of sustainable development.

“Studies show that if we close the gender gap in the workforce, global GDP could increase by as much as $12 trillion by 2025, Alawuba added.

He called on leaders at all levels of leadership in Nigeria to embrace empowering women saying, “Empowering women is not just an ethical obligation – it is an economic imperative. A woman with access to resources, education, and justice becomes a powerful force for change, lifting her family, her community, and her nation.”

He added that the United Bank for Africa Plc recognized that women” are the driving force behind sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth.”

He added, “Across our 24 countries of presence, we have actively embraced the potential and leadership of women, not just in words but in actions. With close to 50% female representation on our Board, 40% of Senior Management roles held by women and an impressive 59% of our Graduate Management Trainees being female, we are truly leading the charge for gender equality in the corporate world.

“Beyond leadership and representation, through exclusive SME loan products tailored for women-led and women-owned businesses, we have ensured that 78% of our Working Capital Loans are empowering these women-led and women-owned enterprises. This unwavering commitment underlines our role as a foremost pan-African Global Banking Group dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and fulfilling the promise of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5, i.e. achieving Gender Equality and empowering all women and girls.

“Empowering women means equipping them with the tools to participate fully in all sectors of society, from Agriculture to Technology, from Leadership to Entrepreneurship. It means ensuring they have access to healthcare, legal recourse, and educational opportunities. It means giving them a platform to make decisions and assert their rights. Today’s theme encapsulates this holistic approach to empowerment – supporting women through farming, ensuring their health, advocating for justice, and amplifying their voices in all aspects of life.

“But the responsibility of empowering women cannot rest on government alone. It requires the concerted effort of every one of us – individuals, Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners, and the Private Sector – to come together with a shared commitment to this cause. This fundraising initiative is an opportunity for each of us to play a part in transforming the lives of women across Nigeria

“By contributing to the EMPOWERHER programme, you are not only investing in women – but you are also investing in the future of Nigeria. When women are empowered, entire communities are lifted out of poverty.

“When women have access to education, healthcare, and justice, they become change agents for their families and society at large. Studies show that when women control resources, they reinvest 90% of their income in their families, compared to 30-40% for men. Imagine the ripple effect that our collective efforts can create!”