As Nigeria marks International Women’s Day 2026, governance expert Dr Adeyinka Hassan, founder of the Centre for Enterprise Governance (CEG), has called for stronger institutional support, improved access to finance, and better governance structures to help women-led businesses grow sustainably.
Speaking in Lagos, Hassan highlighted that women play a vital role in Nigeria’s MSME sector, particularly in trade, services, agriculture, and the creative economy. However, he noted that many women-owned businesses struggle to scale beyond micro and informal levels due to structural barriers rather than lack of capability.
He explained that limited access to collateral, weak credit histories, informal business setups, and the absence of governance systems often prevent women entrepreneurs from accessing finance. Hassan stressed that mentorship, structured advisory boards, and formal governance frameworks can significantly boost growth, accountability, and strategic planning in women-led enterprises.
Hassan also urged banks and development institutions to link access to finance with governance training and financial management support, while encouraging digital tools to improve transparency and record-keeping. He noted that women remain underrepresented in corporate boardrooms but acknowledged progress by regulators and banks in promoting gender diversity.
“Empowering women-led enterprises with strong governance is not just about gender inclusion — it’s an economic imperative. Strong governance improves business resilience, access to finance, and contributes meaningfully to national development,” Hassan said.
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