Economy
Abisoye Wants More Funding for Women-led Startups, Innovative Projects
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Ms Teju Abisoye, has called for more funding for women-led startups and innovative projects.
She made this call while giving her keynote address at an event organised by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited to mark World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2023.
Ms Abisoye, represented by the Director of Strategy, Funding and Stakeholder Management at LSETF, Ms Sheila Ojei, said that by recognising and protecting women’s IP rights, society can enhance innovation, create more business success and empower women globally whilst improving gender equality.
“To accelerate women-led innovation and creativity, we need to encourage girls and young women to pursue STEM education, create mentorship opportunities for women in innovation and creativity, and increase funding for women-led startups and innovative projects,” she said.
“We also have to address bias and discrimination in the innovation and IP system; provide education and training for IP protection for women innovators and creators; and increase the representation of women in IP law and policymaking,” she added.
During the programme, which was themed Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity, some experts spoke at the panel to discuss tech and finance, giving their views on how to bridge the IP gap and increase women’s contribution to innovation and creativity globally.
The speakers were Angela Adebayo, Partner, Inventa Nigeria; Koromone Koroye, Communications and Media Specialist; Tosin Thompson, Founder/CEO Mezovest; Mo’ Olagbegi ‘MoCheddah, Nigerian Artiste and Chidinma Chukwueke-Okolo, Head, Product Development, NGX.
In her speech, the Divisional Head of Business Support Services Division/General Counsel at NGX, Mrs Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, said, “This year’s World Intellectual Property Day, themed, Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity, has helped to bring to the fore salient issues that impact women, especially the challenges in accessing the skills, resources, mentorship, and environment that are required to thrive.
“As a sustainable exchange, we identify with the success that Nigerian women are making in the arts, tech, entrepreneurship and much more. We understand the importance of IP to economic growth, and we remain committed to enhancing women-led innovation through the diversity of the potential of our offerings and technology drive.”
Also, the Chief Digital Officer of NGX, Mr Olufemi Oyenuga, stated that it was remarkable that the world created a mileage to recognise this day to celebrate things around IP.
“Even more significant is the theme for this year, which is to celebrate the amazing creations by women across different fields and explore ways to enhance women’s contribution to economic development further,” he stated.
“Data from the World Intellectual Property Organisation revealed only about 16.5% of inventors named in IP patent applications were women. There is a need to create more funding, mentoring and networking opportunities for women to utilise IP protection for innovation and creativity,” the Head of Rules and Adjudication at NGX Regulation, Oluwatoyin Adenugba, commented.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all previously issued licenses and permits to exporters.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State.
Mr Lawal said the directive, outlined in the Presidential Executive Order titled Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, became necessary to curb illegal logging and deforestation across the country.
“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change,” the Minister said, warning that the continued exportation of wood threatens these benefits and the long-term health of the environment.
The order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025, relies on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant ministries are expected to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging activities nationwide.
On his part, the Katsina State Deputy Governor, Mr Faruk Lawal Jobe highlighted the state’s history of pioneering socio-economic policies that have influenced national policy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges across the country.
“Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving growth and improving the quality of life of our people,” he said. “Our administration has prioritised initiatives aimed at combating desertification and promoting afforestation.”
The ban reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s shrinking forest cover and addressing climate change, while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.24 per cent on Wednesday, December 17, pulling the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) up by 8.62 points to 3,614.64 points from 3,606.02 points.
In the same vein, the market capitalisation added N4.72 billion to close at N2.164 billion compared with the N2.160 trillion it ended on Tuesday.
The growth was inspired by four securities, which finished on the gainers’ log, neutralising the losses printed by two other securities on the trading platform.
MRS Oil Plc gained N17.90 on Wednesday to end at N196.90 per unit versus N179.00 per unit, NASD Plc appreciated by 59 Kobo to N58.50 per share from N57.91 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc added 15 Kobo to sell at N60.19 per unit versus N60.04 per unit, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc rose by 6 Kobo to 64 Kobo per share from 58 Kobo per share.
On the flip side, Golden Capital Plc extended its loss by 76 Kobo to end at N7.75 per unit versus N8.51 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc slipped by 35 Kobo to N39.65 per share from N40.00 per share.
Yesterday, the volume of transactions increased by 737.3 per cent to 20.4 million units from 2.4 million units, but the value of trades fell by 33.8 per cent to N72.2 million from N109.1 million, and the number of deals slid by 62.5 per cent to 21 deals from 56 deals.
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units sold for N16.4 billion, the second position was occupied by Okitipupa Plc with 178.9 million units transacted for N9.5 billion, and the third place was taken by MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units worth N4.9 billion.
InfraCredit Plc was also the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units traded for N16.4 billion, followed by IGI Plc with 1.2 billion units valued at N420.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units worth N524.9 million.
By Dipo Olowookere
A 0.26 per cent growth was achieved by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Wednesday on the back of sustained bargain-hunting by investors.
This happened despite a pocket of profit-taking, with industrial goods losing 0.63 per cent and the energy index shedding 0.05 per cent.
But the insurance space increased by 2.02 per cent, the banking counter appreciated by 1.48 per cent, the commodity sector improved by 0.48 per cent, and the consumer goods segment rose by 0.03 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 383.71 points to 149,842.82 points from 149,459.11 points and the market capitalisation jumped by N244 billion to N95.525 trillion from N95.281 trillion.
The market breadth index remained positive after the bourse finished with 38 price gainers and 23 price losers, indicating a strong investor sentiment.
The quartet of First Holdco, Lasaco Assurance, Veritas Kapital, and Prestige Assurance gained 10.00 per cent to quote at N39.60, N2.75, N1.76, and N1.65, respectively, while Mecure Industries grew by 9.92 per cent to N50.40.
Conversely, Living Trust Mortgage Bank lost 10.00 per cent to close at N3.15, International Energy Insurance dropped 9.92 per cent to trade at N2.27, McNichols shrank by 6.90 per cent to N2.97, Omatek decreased by 6.84 per cent to N1.09, and Chams dipped by 6.41 per cent to N2.92.
The activity level witnessed a significant surge at midweek, with Ecobank trading 5.3 billion units for N168.7 billion.
Further, First Holdco sold 108.2 million units worth N4.2 billion, Sterling Holdings exchanged 87.3 million units valued at N606.2 million, FCMB transacted 74.3 million units worth N783.6 million, and Access Holdings sold 41.5 million units for N841.4 million.
At the close of trades, market participants traded 5.9 billion units valued at N216.2 billion in 25,205 deals compared with the 1.0 billion units worth N21.8 billion traded in 23,701 deals a day earlier, showing a rise in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 490.00 per cent, 891.74 per cent, and 6.35 per cent, respectively.
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