Minister Imaan Launches National Drive to Empower 4 Million Women

• FG inaugurates Federal Steering Committee for Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, expands initiative to all 36 states and FCT

By Queen Kunde

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has inaugurated the Federal Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) Abuja.

Describing the event as “a national milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward women’s empowerment and sustainable development,” the Minister said the scale-up phase will extend the transformative impact of the programme to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“We are replacing fragmented interventions with a systemic model that positions women as the drivers of Nigeria’s inclusive growth, resilience, and long-term stability,” she said.

According to her, the expanded initiative backed by the World Bank integrates financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection into one national framework. The goal: to strengthen Women Affinity Groups into permanent economic institutions linked to markets, finance, and public services.

Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that though the project started 18 months behind schedule, it has already taken off in 18 states and received a “satisfactory” rating from the World Bank Implementation Support Mission.

She reaffirmed that empowering women remains central to national prosperity.

“When we empower a woman, we empower a household. When we empower millions, we recalibrate an entire economy.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mariam Ismaila Keshinro, hailed the inauguration as “a milestone in advancing women’s economic inclusion.” She noted that between 2018 and 2024, the initial phase of the Nigeria for Women Programme empowered thousands of women through access to finance, capacity building, and entrepreneurship networks. The scale-up, she added, will reach millions more nationwide.

Representing the World Bank, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi commended the Nigerian Government’s leadership, pledging continued support for what he called “a model of inclusive development.”

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, described the project as “a sound investment in Nigeria’s future,” linking women’s empowerment directly to national productivity and family welfare. Similarly, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, noted that the initiative aligns with the National Development Plan (2021–2025) and ensures “no one is left behind.”

The newly inaugurated Federal Steering Committee will provide strategic guidance, approve workplans and budgets, and ensure synergy across ministries and implementing agencies, including Agriculture, Health, Trade and Investment.

Closing the event, Minister Imaan charged committee members to “turn women’s potential into national prosperity,” stressing that women’s empowerment is “not charity, but nation-building, peace-building, and climate action rolled into one”