By Enyeribe Ejiogu,Rapheal

Copyright thesun

By Enyeribe Ejiogu

Joy, excitement, gratitude and pride will overflow when members of NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), the female arm of Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, NECA, gather in Lagos to mark 20 years of the group empowering women entrepreneurs and shaping the Nigerian economic landscape.

Vice President of NNEW, Mrs Bolanle Edwards, who addressed journalists ahead of the 20th anniversary celebration with the theme “Evolve, Elevate, Celebrate” and scheduled for October 8 and 9, 2025,said the ceremony would be a national gathering of entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders, and development partners.

“Twenty years ago, in 2005, NNEW was born, with a clear mission: to provide a strong, credible platform for women to grow sustainable enterprises, gain visibility, and become influential voices in national development. What began as a modest initiative has grown into a national force, a movement of resilient women who demonstrate every day that when women thrive, economies prosper,” Edwards said.

Speaking further on the achievements that have defined NNEW’s journey, she said: “Since our inception, capacity building has been at the heart of NNEW. We have registered more than 2,000 members across five active chapters. We have organized hundreds of training programmes, masterclasses, and workshops —covering entrepreneurship, leadership, export readiness, digital transformation, financial literacy, and innovation. As at today, 350 women entrepreneurs have been trained using ILO-certified business modules.

“Through flagship programmes such as Women in Digital Business (WIDB), Financial Literacy Clinics, and specialized export training, we have equipped thousands of women with the tools to compete locally and globally.

“These programmes have not only sharpened business skills but also helped women embrace technology and the digital economy, ensuring they remain relevant in an ever-changing market.

At NNEW, we believe that no woman should walk the path of entrepreneurship alone.

“We established a robust mentorship system, pairing emerging entrepreneurs with seasoned business leaders. Our peer-to-peer learning circles and business clusters have provided safe spaces for sharing challenges, exchanging ideas, and building confidence.

“Many of today’s successful women-led enterprises can trace their roots back to these mentoring relationships. This culture of sisterhood and shared wisdom is one of NNEW’s proudest legacies.”

Edwards explained that NNEW has been a strong voice in policy advocacy for women’s economic inclusion. It has engaged with government agencies, regulators, and development partners to ensure that women entrepreneurs are recognized as vital contributors to Nigeria’s economy.

Through these efforts, NNEW has championed policies that improve access to finance, reduce barriers to trade, and create a business environment where women can thrive.

Chairperson, NNEW 20th Anniversary Planning Committee, Mrs Dominga Omolara Odebunmi, while noting that the journey of the group “has been remarkable” and its “impact undeniable” explained that the two days event to be held at the NECA Auditorium, NECA House, Plot A2, Hakeem Balogun Street, Alausa Central Business District, Lagos, would be graced by two Special Guests of Honour – the First Lady of Lagos State and the First Lady of Ogun State – “whose presence underscores the importance of women’s empowerment in shaping communities and economies.”

Odebunmi said further: “Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Toyin Sanni, Executive Vice-Chair at Emerging Africa Capital is a leading voice in Africa’s investment and financial landscape. She will speak on the timely and forward-looking topic: “Boardroom, Blockchain & Balance Sheets: The Next-Gen Woman Entrepreneur.”

The highpoint of the anniversary will be the unveiling of NNEW’s 10-Year Strategic Plan, which she described as a bold roadmap for the future that will focus on expanding access to finance and markets for women entrepreneurs, strengthening mentorship and leadership pipelines, driving digital transformation and innovation in women-led enterprises, influencing policy and advocating for gender equity in business, expanding Pan-African and global collaborations, promoting holistic well-being and resilience, nurturing the next generation of young female entrepreneurs, among other goals.