Women Take Center Stage as UNIDO Launches Inaugural Industry Day
Nigeria has joined the global community in commemorating the first-ever International Day of Women in Industry (IDWI), a landmark event held at the United Nations House in Abuja. Participants at the gathering issued a strong call for urgent and deliberate actions to break down the barriers that restrict women's involvement in industrial development, emphasizing the critical need for inclusive growth.
Symbolic and Strategic Recognition of Women's Role
At its 2025 General Conference, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) designated April 21 of each year as a day to honor women as central figures in industrialization, innovation, and economic transformation worldwide. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, UNIDO Regional Director for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Philbert Abaka Johnson, described the occasion as both symbolic and strategic. He stressed that industrialization cannot achieve innovation, resilience, or sustainability if half the population is excluded from the process.
This new global day also serves to commemorate the adoption of UNIDO's first Gender Policy in 2009, reinforcing Johnson's portrayal of a longstanding institutional commitment to gender equality as a key driver of industrial transformation. While the event celebrated the achievements of women across various sectors, it also highlighted persistent structural inequalities, including limited access to finance and technology, as well as underrepresentation in leadership and policy-making roles.
Celebrating Nigerian Women Leaders and Initiatives
The theme, 'Women Shaping the Future of Industry,' guided discussions on the vital roles women play in manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy, technology, and creative industries. A highlight of the event was the recognition of prominent Nigerian women whose influence spans global trade, energy, manufacturing, finance, and technology. Among those celebrated were Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, praised for her leadership in global trade and supply chains; Funke Opeke, credited with transforming Nigeria's digital infrastructure; and Ibukun Awosika, a pioneer in indigenous manufacturing and corporate leadership.
Other notable figures included oil and gas magnate Folorunsho Alakija, pharmaceutical entrepreneur Stella Okoli, media mogul Mo Abudu, and tech innovator Ire Aderinokun. The organizer compiled this list, though not exhaustive, to underscore what they termed the 'untapped industrial power' of Nigerian women, showcasing their diverse contributions to economic advancement.
UNIDO-Backed Programs to Bridge Gender Gaps
Johnson detailed a series of UNIDO-supported initiatives aimed at bridging gender gaps in industry. These include circular-economy projects funded by Japan and the European Union, cleantech innovation programs that support women-led enterprises, and engineering scholarships delivered in partnership with the Society of Women Engineers. He revealed that over 540 women have been trained nationwide through the HP LIFE program in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
Additionally, COVID-19 interventions supported 174 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with 70 percent being women-led, to scale up the production of personal protective equipment. Johnson explained: "These interventions are not just about participation. They are about enabling women to move up the value chain and into more competitive and resilient enterprises."
Calls for Policy Action and Measurable Outcomes
Participants at the event emphasized that without intentional policy design, industrial growth risks exacerbating existing inequalities. They advocated for gender-responsive policies, improved access to industrial finance, and stronger public-private partnerships. They noted that Nigeria's industrial ambitions, particularly under its Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) with UNIDO, will largely depend on how effectively women are integrated into value chains.
They also observed that the true test of this new international day will be translating rhetoric into measurable outcomes. With momentum gradually building, participants expressed hope that the International Day of Women in Industry will evolve from a commemorative event into a catalyst for structural transformation, driving sustainable and equitable industrial development in Nigeria and beyond.
