By Festus Fifen

The Alternative Bank on Friday convened a high-level virtual forum to mark the International Day for Rural Women, uniting thought leaders, policymakers, and development partners under the theme: “Rural Women and MSMEs: Driving Sustainability, Strengthening Economies, Securing Our Shared Tomorrow.”

Aligned with the United Nations’ global observance, the program featured inspiring speakers and practical sessions focused on celebrating, equipping, and advocating for rural women across Nigeria and Africa.

In her welcome remarks, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director (South) at The Alternative Bank, framed the day as a call to action and pledged the Bank’s sustained commitment to building an inclusive financial ecosystem that empowers women and strengthens communities. “Rural women are the heartbeat of food systems, the lifeline of families, and the silent architects of community resilience,” she said. “Empowering rural women is a moral imperative and smart economics—a cornerstone of sustainable national growth. Our doors remain open to partner, finance ideas, and co-create solutions that uplift women and the communities they sustain.”

Demola-Adeniyi announced the Alternative Bank–Utiva Women in Tech Scholarship, set to begin in November 2025, which will support an inaugural cohort of 20 women entrepreneurs. The scholarship will deliver training in digital skills, innovation design, and business growth, equipping beneficiaries to scale their enterprises and deepen their participation in the digital economy.

Eyitayo Ogunmola, Chief Executive Officer of Utiva, welcomed the partnership’s potential to expand access to digital opportunities for women. “When women are equipped with the right digital skills, they transform not just their businesses but their communities,” he said. “This collaboration with The Alternative Bank creates pathways for inclusion, innovation, and long-term economic empowerment for women shaping the future of enterprise in Africa.”

Offering a goodwill message, Hon. Gift Johnbull, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment. She noted that rural women—who constitute the backbone of Nigeria’s agrarian communities—are central to national food security and community well-being, yet continue to face systemic barriers that limit access to finance, markets, and digital tools. Johnbull emphasized the urgency of coordinated action to remove these barriers and ensure rural women can fully participate in and benefit from economic growth.