By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suaiman-Ibrahim, on Friday pledged that at the core of the Ministry’s agenda is a bold and ambitious vision to empower 10 million Nigerian women economically by 2027.
This is coming even as she said that the Ministry will ensure that b they play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic transformation.
According to her, this aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, where women are key contributors to national productivity.
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, she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who made the disclosure at a press briefing to mark her 100 days in office at the Ministry’s Headquarters acknowledged that financial literacy, business development, and cooperative structures, we will be equipping women with the tools they need to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
The Minister admitted that she is on a mission to transform the lives of 100 million Nigerian women and vulnerable children, adding that that with over 100 million women and girls, and millions more and vulnerable populations looking to us for leadership, action, and results, we must drive a transformational agenda that truly empowers, protects, and uplifts those we serve.
According to her, the occasion provides the Ministry with an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, share key milestones achieved, and reaffirm its commitment to women and children’s empowerment, protection, family advancement, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in Nigeria’s national development agenda.
The Minister said, “From the onset, I was clear about one thing – this Ministry cannot afford to operate as usual. I vividly recall the day I held a four (4) year old girl in my arms, trembling with fear after surviving the unacceptable horrors of abuse.
“In her eyes, I saw not just pain but a silent plea for protection, for justice, and for a future she could believe in.
“That moment changed me forever – it reminded me of the urgency of our mission to protect and nurture every child.
“With over 100 million Nigerian women and girls, and millions more children and vulnerable populations looking to us for leadership, action, and results, we must drive a transformational agenda that truly empowers, protects, and uplifts those we serve.
“We must move from policies to action, from conversations to measurable impact, and from incremental progress to bold, systemic reforms.
She added that her actions will be guided by a strategic plan of action, which has been meticulously developed to drive impactful interventions and will be shared with you, adding that the Ministry is guided by Nigeria’s international commitments and national policies, which serve as the foundation for our interventions.
“We continue to lead the implementation of the National Gender Policy (2021), the National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, the Child Rights Act (2003), the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, and other critical frameworks.
“At the international level, our mandate aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and the AU Maputo Protocol, among others.
“These frameworks provide a clear direction for our efforts, and under a renewed vision, we are accelerating their implementation to drive meaningful results.”
“Economic empowerment remains one of the most effective ways to uplift women and dismantle systemic barriers that limit their potential. Recognizing this, the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme, in collaboration with WEMA Bank, is set to train 500,000 women in key areas, including vocational skills, business entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.
“The first phase of the program is currently underway in Kano State, with 2,500 women being trained at the Ministry of Women Affairs Centre in Dederi and the Kano Hospitality & Tourism Institute in Gyadi-Gyadi.” She added.
To further strengthen access to finance, she said the Ministry is working on setting up a National Microfinance framework for Women Entrepreneurs, explaining that 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.
“In addition to financial empowerment, we have launched a food intervention program for women and vulnerable groups, recognizing the economic hardships that many families are facing. By providing direct food assistance and supporting women-led agricultural initiatives, we are ensuring that no woman or child is left behind in our collective journey toward prosperity.
“On Strengthening Child Protection and Legal Frameworks. Let me quickly state also, that a critical aspect of our work, which has historically been put on the back burner, is the protection and development of Nigerian children. We are now bringing this to the headline, to ensure that every child is safe, educated, and empowered to reach their full potential.
“One of the major milestones in our first 100 days has been the establishment of a Child Rights Act Review Committee, which is tasked with harmonizing, strengthening, and modernizing Nigeria’s child protection laws. This committee is working to address gaps in the legal framework, ensuring that child marriage, trafficking, abuse, and violence are effectively tackled at all levels.
“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. In addition, we are exploring opportunities for establishing a dedicated institution for Child Protection and Development.
“The dedicated institution will implement child welfare policies, strengthen protection services, and provide holistic support for vulnerable children.” The Minister said.
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 said.
On Ending Gender-Based Violence and Strengthening Global Partnerships, Sulaiman-Ibrahim, 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.
“At the conference, I presented Nigeria’s pledge to provide comprehensive support services to 2 million children at risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation by 2030 and to deliver evidence-based parenting programs to 10 million families by 2030. These commitments are guiding our national strategy and ensuring that our response to gender-based violence (GBV) is robust and sustainable.
“Let me use this opportunity to announce to us, that in addition to these efforts, Nigeria will be making a bold and unified appearance at CSW69 in March in New York, and we are 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.” The Minister added.
