**Empowering Nigerian Women: Wema Bank Marks International Women's Day with Style** It was a day of solidarity and celebration in Lagos as Wema Bank brought together some of Nigeria's finest to commemorate International Women's Day. The event, held on Wednesday, was a melting pot of government officials, development partners, professionals, and entertainers all united by a common goal: to empower Nigerian women and promote gender inclusion. Among the notable guests were the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, actress Funke Akindele, singer Waje, and dancer Kaffy, who all lent their support to the cause. The programme, anchored on the theme "Give To Gain," delved into the importance of investment, mentorship, and institutional support in expanding opportunities for women and addressing the lingering issue of gender inequality. According to Wema Bank's Managing Director, Moruf Oseni, empowering women is critical to Nigeria's economic growth and sustainable development. "The global advocacy for gender equality is a fundamental pillar upon which our collective progress rests," he said. "Imagine what economic prosperity would look like if every woman became economically active." This is the vision driving Wema Bank's initiatives to support women within and outside its customer base. The statistics are stark: 10% of Nigerian women live in extreme poverty, a number that has remained unchanged since 2020. By 2030, over 350 million women and girls could still be trapped in extreme poverty. But Wema Bank remains committed to changing this narrative. "Investing in women is investing in the economy and society at large," Oseni said. "The more we give to women, the more we bridge prevalent gaps and accelerate economic prosperity." As Nigeria looks to the future, there is a growing recognition that empowering women is key to unlocking the country's full potential. Wema Bank's efforts are a testament to this, and we can only hope that this momentum continues to build. After all, as the bank's CEO said, "The truth is, when women gain, we grow."