The United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria (UNGCNN) says it is reinforcing its cause for gender equality commitments in the country.
The UNGCNN made this known at an event in commemoration of the this year’s International Women’s Day with the theme: “Bridging the Gender Gap: Turning Intent to Impact “
UNGCNN says it was time to retable the conversation among business leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, and development partners.
The event brought together stakeholders across sectors to focus on how gender equality commitments can translate into measurable action within governance, leadership, and access to finance.
The Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of UNGCNN, Ms Naomi Nwokolo, urged organisations to move from familiar conversations to structural change.
“Conversations around gender equality are no longer new. What matters now is whether those conversations are producing structural change.
Ms. Nwokolo also called for clearer accountability, stronger leadership pipelines, and measurable targets that can be tracked over time.
As part of the conversation, the Board Chair of the UNGCNN, Mrs Uto Ukpanah, noted that progress depends on governance discipline and not only good intentions.
“Organisations rarely fail because they lack good intentions. They fail because they don’t embed those intentions in the system,” she said.
She also challenged leaders to treat gender inclusion as a board and performance priority within the next 90 days.
Also, the wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, emphasised the importance of translating commitments into outcomes that improve lives, especially at the grassroots.
Harping on the vision of the Good Hope Women Flourish Initiative, she reiterated that “bridging the gender gap demands collective action, strong commitment and collaboration between the public and business sectors.”
She called for sustained support systems that allow women to thrive in leadership and economic participation.
On her part, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, , noted that the state is pursuing gender inclusion as a governance and economic priority.
Rs. Ambrose-Medebem described skills development, procurement access, and enterprise programmes as practical levers for closing the gaps.
Also, the Consul-General and Trade Counsellor at the Consulate General of Denmark in Lagos, Ms Jette Bjerrum, emphasised that impact requires systems, transparency, and leadership that goes beyond advocacy.
“Intentions do not close the gaps; data does,” she said.
She also urged organisations to track representation, pay gaps, and promotion outcomes so accountability becomes practical.
The programme featured an overview of the Target Gender Equality Accelerator delivered by Salma Houerbi, Senior Manager, Target Gender Equality at the UN Global Compact.
Houerbi who described commitment as common noted that implementation on gender equality was still lagging behind.
“Gender equality is a governance issue, a competitiveness issue, and a risk management issue,” Houerbi said.
The gender equality discussion focused on moving beyond commitments toward practical, measurable action.
Panellists at the meeting emphasised the need to treat gender equity as a business performance and governance issue, expand access to capital for women-led enterprises, and strengthen internal leadership pipelines to enable more women to transition into decision-making roles.
The UNGCNN stimulates and facilitates the creation of local connections and serves as a catalyst for companies and stakeholders to achieve Agenda 2030.
It was launched in Nigeria in 2007 during the Nigerian Economic Summit.
Reporting by Olusegun Haastrup