By Aduragbemi Omiyale

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Nigerian Exchange Group House in Lagos, the role of capital markets in promoting gender equality will be reemphasised through the closing gong ceremony in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026.

The ceremony is part of the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality campaign, which mobilises stock exchanges worldwide to expand women’s participation in the economy and advance gender-inclusive practices.

In Nigeria, the NGX Group is partnering with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) to make it memorable under the theme Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.

Dignitaries expected at the ceremony include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma; the Executive Commissioner for Legal and Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Frana Chukwuogor; foremost actor, Ms Funke Akindele; a Director at the NGX Group, Ms Ojinnika Olaghere; and another staffer of NGX Group, Mrs Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman, alongside board members of NGX Group, regulators, capital market stakeholders, and industry leaders.

NGX Group is joining other exchanges worldwide in sounding the NGX Gong to underscore the importance of inclusive leadership, equal opportunities, and stronger market accountability in advancing gender equality.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Executive Director/GCOO of Pathway Holdings Limited, Mrs Dolapo Akanbi-Alade, has called for increased inclusion of Nigerian women in finance as the world marks International Women’s Day 2026.

International Women’s Day 2026 is marked every March 8, and this year’s theme is Give To Gain.

In a statement shared with Business Post, Mrs Akanbi-Alade noted that while International Women’s Day highlights the need for gender equality, significant progress requires deliberate policies and systems that expand women’s access to finance and leadership opportunities.

She emphasised that many Nigerian women and women-led businesses still face limited access to finance, highlighting the urgent need for targeted inclusion initiatives.

“At Pathway Holdings, we empower women and give access to investment advisory, asset management, and lending solutions for institutions, high-net-worth individuals, and businesses. Ensuring that women and women-led enterprises can access these opportunities is critical to building a more inclusive financial system,” she added.

Mrs Akanbi-Alade said, “Women’s access to finance is not only a social responsibility but essential for national productivity and economic growth’’. She co-founded the following companies:

Pathway Asset Management Limited is registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria, as a Fund and Portfolio Manager. The product range includes Pathway Fixed Deposit Notes, Privately Managed Notes, Pathway Private Portfolio Management, Investment Advisory, and Mutual Funds, which will be launched soon.

Pathway Advisors Limited is registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an Issuing House and financial adviser. Pathway Advisors’ services cover Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Capital-Raising, Financial Advisory, Rating Advisory, and Project and Structure Finance.

Fundbox Financial Services Limited is a wholly owned micro-lending company providing short-term personal and SME finance loans to salaried individuals, self-employed personnel, and small businesses. They offer services which include Cars4Cash, SME Loans, Personal Loans, and Group Employee Loans. Fundbox has successfully disbursed a wide range of loans to both corporate and individual clients, supporting their financial needs and business growth.

Pathway Holdings Limited is a notable investment holding firm focusing on private market investments, including private equity, private credit, and infrastructure. Pathway creates customised investment solutions for institutional investors and individuals, leveraging its extensive experience and local footprint.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has approved the postings of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and the United Nations, including the former head of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Lateef Kayode Are, who is to serve in the United States.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Friday that 31 non-career and 34 career ambassadors have been assigned to their duty posts.

The Senate had confirmed all 65 nominees in December 2025 following screening by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to immediately commence an induction programme for the envoys, who will assume duties after receiving agrément from their host countries.

Below is the full list of postings:

NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS

1. Senator Grace Bent — Togo (Lomé)

2. Senator Ita Enang — South Africa

3. Ikpeazu Victor — Spain

4. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu — Israel (Tel Aviv)

5. Mahmud Yakubu — Qatar

6. Paul Oga Adikwu — Vatican City Holy See

7. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas — Philippines

8. Reno Omokri — Mexico

9. Engr. Abasi Braimah — Hungary (Budapest)

10. Mrs Erelu Angela Adebayo — Portugal

11. Barr. Oluwayimika Ayotunwa — Japan (Tokyo)

12. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi — Greece (Athens)

13. Barr. Chioma Priscilla Ohakim — Poland (Warsaw)

14. Aminu Dalhatu — United Kingdom (High Commissioner)

15. Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau — China (Beijing)

16. Tasiu Musa Maigari — Gambia

17. Olufemi Pedro — Australia

18. Barr. Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu — Argentina

19. Lateef Kayode Are — United States

20. Amb. Joseph Sola Iji — Russia

21. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim — United Nations (Permanent Representative)

22. Femi Fani-Kayode — Germany

23. Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole — Canada (Ottawa)

24. Fatima Florence Ajimobi — Austria

25. Mrs Lola Akande — Sweden

26. Ayodele Oke — France

27. Yakubu N. Gambo — Saudi Arabia

28. Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut — South Korea (Seoul)

29. Barr. Joe-Kyari Okocha, SAN — Ireland (Dublin)

30. Dr Kulu Haruna Abubakar — Tunisia (Tunis)

31. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe — Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain)

CAREER AMBASSADORS

32. Ambassador Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka — Côte d’Ivoire

33. Besto Maimuna Ibrahim — Niger (Niamey)

34. Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi — São Tomé and Príncipe

35. Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele — Algeria (Algiers)

36. Endoni Syndoph Paebi — Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)

37. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno — Egypt (Cairo)

38. Ambassador Jane Adams — Jamaica (Kingston)

39. Ambassador Clark-Omeru Alexandra — Zambia (Lusaka)

40. Chima Geoffrey Lioma David — Mali (Bamako)

41. Ambassador Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen — Equatorial Guinea (Malabo)

42. Ambassador Wasa Segun Ige — Lebanon (Beirut)

43. Ruben Abimbola Samuel — Italy (Rome)

44. Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley — Mozambique (Maputo)

45. Ambassador Magaji Umar — DR Congo (Kinshasa)

46. Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru — India (New Delhi)

47. Ambassador Abdussalam Habu Zayyad — Senegal (Dakar)

48. Ambassador Shehu Ilu Barde — Ghana (Accra)

49. Ambassador Aminu Nasir — Ethiopia

50. Abubakar Musa — Chad (N’Djamena)

51. Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris — Netherlands (The Hague)

52. Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar — Morocco (Rabat)

53. Ambassador Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed — Malaysia

54. Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle — Tanzania

55. Ambassador Shaga John Shamah — Botswana

56. Hamza Mohammed Salau — Iran (Tehran)

57. Ambassador Ibrahim Danlami — Kenya

58. Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola — Benin (Cotonou)

59. Ambassador Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel — Belgium (Brussels)

60. Ambassador Akande Wahab Adekola — Switzerland (Berne)

61. Ambassador Arewa Esther — Namibia (Windhoek)

62. Ambassador Gergadi Joseph John — Gabon (Libreville)

63. Ambassador Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata — Sierra Leone

64. Danladi Yakubu Nyaku — Sudan (Khartoum)

65. Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru — Thailand (Bangkok)

Mr Onanuga noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu, and from France for Ambassador Ayodele Oke.

Nominations of the remaining 62 envoys have been conveyed to their respective host countries pending agreement.