Sterling Bank Limited has reiterated its commitment to increasing women’s economic participation in Nigeria through its support for the Nigeria Gender Country Programme (NGCP), a multi-year private-sector initiative focused on tackling structural barriers limiting women’s involvement in employment, entrepreneurship and leadership.

The programme is anchored by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Speaking at the introduction of the programme in Lagos, Temi Dalley, Group Executive, Human Capital and Corporate Services at Sterling Financial Holdings Company PLC, said achieving meaningful gender inclusion goes beyond having policies and providing access to capital.

Dalley said targeted interventions are required at critical stages where women are more likely to leave the economic pipeline. These include the transition into motherhood, advancement into middle management and the early stages of business development.

She identified mentorship, sponsorship, capability-building, flexible work platforms and stronger measures to tackle workplace micro-aggressions as important elements for achieving meaningful gender inclusion.

The programme also received support from the Lagos State Government, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented at the event by Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.

Ambrose-Medebem urged businesses to integrate gender inclusion into their core strategies, highlighting the importance of making it part of organisational priorities.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, was represented by her Special Assistant on Child Protection and Projects, Aishatu Digili.

Digili described the initiative as a collective commitment to move beyond intentions towards concrete action and measurable impact in advancing gender inclusion.

Through its participation in the NGCP, Sterling Bank is supporting a broader private-sector effort to address challenges affecting women’s participation and progression across employment, entrepreneurship and leadership in Nigeria.

Source: MSME Africa Online