Nigeria, March 31 -- Women's limited access to finance, leadership roles, and economic opportunities continues to constrain Nigeria's economic growth, experts said on Monday at the 2026 International Women's Day event organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.

Speaking at the event themed "Communicate to Balance: Gain Equity, Empower Women," Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to the president on policy and coordination, said structural barriers, including financial exclusion and rigid workplace systems, are preventing many women from fully participating in the economy.

She noted that while women enter the workforce in large numbers, many drop out mid-career due to limited institutional support, particularly during...