Nigeria prioritises family-centred policies for national devt — Minister

Nigeria has taken concrete steps to integrate family-focused approaches into national policy, with efforts centered on repositioning the care economy through strengthening caregiving systems and protecting vulnerable populations.

This was stated by Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at the ongoing ministerial session of the International Family Forum (IFF) with 26 ministerial participants.

According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria has placed families at the forefront of its national development through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Nigeria has taken proactive measures to strengthen family cohesion initiatives,” she said, highlighting the National Framework for Family Cohesion and the National Family Strengthening and Development Programme as examples.

The minister also announced the introduction of the National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children, aimed at ensuring vulnerable children receive appropriate care.

“The guidelines also complement the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children, recently launched by Nigeria,” she added.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasised the need for global partnerships to promote family resilience and called for increased investments in family policies.

“We proudly support the adoption of a Joint Declaration on family on safeguarding and strengthening families. We also endorse presenting this shared vision to multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, in a unified global call for family-centered governance,” she said.

The minister urged multilateral institutions to increase investments in family policies, establish funding mechanisms for family-centered social protection, and integrate family well-being into the sustainable development agenda.

“This singular effort will help strengthen our collective goal,” she said.

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