The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan-Sulaiman, says the Federal Government is committed to empowering 10 million women economically by 2027 as part of efforts to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Speaking in Abuja to mark her 100 days in office, the Minister noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, with women playing a key role in national productivity.
Hajiya Imaan also announced the launch of the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme in collaboration with WEMA Bank, aiming to train 500,000 women in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, with the first phase kicking off in Kano and 2,500 women enrolled.
“Our actions are guided by a Strategic Plan of Action, which has been meticulously developed to drive impactful interventions.
“To further strengthen access to finance, the Ministry is working on setting up a National Microfinance framework for women entrepreneurs.
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We have already taken decisive steps toward achieving this, with the commencement of implementation of the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which targets 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT.
“This initiative aims to bridge the financing gap for women, ensuring they have affordable credit, investment opportunities, and gender-responsive financial services to grow their businesses and contribute more effectively to national development.
“Furthermore, we have commenced nationwide stakeholder consultations for the development of a National Child Protection Framework, which will ensure a coordinated and structured approach to protecting children across the country.
“As part of our commitment to ending period poverty, we are also launching a nationwide campaign to provide menstrual hygiene kits to 10,000 young girls, ensuring they stay in school and maintain their dignity, she ministers said
“Nigeria remains committed to ending violence against women and children, and I reaffirmed this during my participation at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia.”
She also announced that Nigeria will be making a bold and unified appearance at CSW69 in March in New York, and the ministry is working to lead the global conversation on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“For the first time, six high-impact sessions have been designed, covering women’s leadership and empowerment, financial inclusion, and child protection.
“This will mark a historic moment for Nigeria, as we shift from passive participation to active leadership in global gender advocacy.”
“Our participation at COP29 in Azerbaijan has also provided a platform to engage the international community on gender-responsive climate action.”
“Women are at the frontline of climate change impacts, and we are ensuring that their voices, solutions, and leadership are integrated into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.”
“In this regard, we are working to transition 1 million households from firewood-based cooking to clean and sustainable energy solutions.”
On Strengthening Governance and Institutional Partnerships, the Minister said in recognition of the importance of collaborative governance, the Federal government has strengthened engagement with state governments, holding multiple sessions with Commissioners for Women Affairs across all 36 states.
“This has led to improved synergy, knowledge exchange, and policy alignment, ensuring that our national programs are effectively implemented at the state level.”
“To further enhance coordination, we have convening the High-Level Presidential Advisory Council on Women and Girls (HLAC).
“This council will drive and coordinate the implementation of gender-focused programs, ensuring that women and girls remain at the center of national development efforts.”
The minister disclosed that her first 100 days in office have been marked by bold decisions, strategic partnerships, and measurable impact. However, the work ahead is even greater, and our commitment to transforming the lives of women and children remains resolute.
She added that the administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, understands that gender equality is not an option; it is the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
“To achieve our goals, we need stronger partnerships, faster implementation, and a unified approach to gender and social development.
“We must ensure that our policies are fully implemented, that resources are mobilized, and that every woman and child in Nigeria is given the opportunity to thrive. The time for incremental progress is over. The time for bold action is now,” she concluded.
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