Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has emphasised that empowering women is an economic necessity, not a charitable act.
Gatekeepers News reports that Alawuba spoke at the Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment, and Fund Raising Programme (EMPOWERHER) held at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
In his opening remarks, the UBA GMD praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Alawuba also recognised the efforts of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, in promoting women’s rights and empowerment.
He emphasised that empowering women is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth, citing statistics that women make up 49.3% of the population and 70% of rural women are engaged in agriculture. He lamented that despite their significant contribution, women farmers lack access to financing, land, and technology.
“Empowering women in Agriculture is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity,” he stressed.
Alawuba highlighted UBA’s commitment to gender equality, citing the bank’s 50% female representation on its board and 59% female graduate management trainees. He also emphasised the bank’s exclusive SME loan products tailored for women-led businesses.
“At United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), we recognize that women are the driving force behind sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth. Across our 24 countries of presence, we have actively embraced the potential and leadership of women, not just in words but in actions. With close to 50% female representation on our Board, 40% of Senior Management roles held by women and an impressive 59% of our Graduate Management Trainees being female, we are truly leading the charge for gender equality in the corporate world.
“Beyond leadership and representation, through exclusive SME loan products tailored for women-led and women-owned businesses, we have ensured that 78% of our Working Capital Loans are empowering these women-led and women-owned enterprises,” he said.
Alawuba urged individuals, organisations, and the private sector to support this initiative, noting its transformative impact on families, communities, and the nation.
“…the responsibility of empowering women cannot rest on government alone. It requires the concerted effort of every one of us – individuals, Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners, and the Private Sector – to come together with a shared commitment to this cause. This fundraising initiative is an opportunity for each of us to play a part in transforming the lives of women across Nigeria. By contributing to the EMPOWERHER programme, you are not only investing in women – but you are also investing in the future of Nigeria.
“When women are empowered, entire communities are lifted out of poverty. When women have access to education, healthcare, and justice, they become change agents for their families and society at large. Studies show that when women control resources, they reinvest 90% of their income in their families, compared to 30-40% for men. Imagine the ripple effect that our collective efforts can create!”
“Let us ensure that no woman is left behind,” Alawuba concluded, quoting Malala Yousafzai, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
