Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement (EFInA) hosted its International Women's Month Convening 2026 in Abuja on March 8, 2026, bringing together women's associations, financial institutions, regulators, and development partners under the theme "Gather, Gain, Grow." The event marked International Women's Day and aligned with the global theme "Give to Gain," focusing on actionable strategies to improve women's access to financial services in Nigeria. Foyinsolami Akinjayeju, CEO of EFInA, stated the gathering was "a call to commitment, stronger partnerships, and deliberate action," stressing that inclusive growth depends on targeted support for women entrepreneurs.
Dr Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria's Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department, called for policy frameworks that enable women's financial access and urged providers to design affordable, relevant financial products. Dr Hadiza Maina, National Coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, delivered a keynote on behalf of Minister Hayiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. Dr Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Financial Inclusion, cited findings from the mid-term assessment of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, reaffirming women as a priority segment. Michael Ilesanmi of the World Bank described the event as timely, noting that women-led enterprises in organised associations are key to financial stability. Emezino Afiegbe, EFInA's Gender Lead, said women's groups are "platforms for trusted interactions among women in all demographic settings."
The fact that women's financial inclusion still requires high-level convenings in 2026 shows how far behind policy implementation lags behind rhetoric. Foyinsolami Akinjayeju's call for "deliberate action" echoes past declarations that have yet to translate into measurable access for market women or female MSME owners. If the mid-term review of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy already identifies women as a priority, then the real issue is not awareness—it's execution. Nigerian women don't need more platforms to share barriers; they need banks to open accounts without spousal consent and lenders who see them as creditworthy.
