By Queen Kunde
What began as rumblings of discontent at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on Friday turned into a remarkable show of solidarity as leading women groups from across Nigeria poured into Abuja to rally behind Minister Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, following a wave of staff protests that had trended on social media earlier in the week.
The workers had accused the ministry of neglecting welfare and failing to provide basic work tools, but the storm took a different turn when the Minister met them at a town hall meeting. In a calm but firm motherly tone, she forgave the aggrieved staff, embraced their apologies, and promised to improve their working environment. Her humility, which included a symbolic gift of 50kg bags of rice for each worker, drew applause, singing, and even dancing from the once-restive employees, with many describing it as a “new beginning” for peace in the ministry.
Just hours later, the ministry premises came alive again — this time with a flood of women leaders who said they would not allow what they suspect to be attempts to discredit or bully the minister out of office. Led by the President of the National Council of Women Societies, Princess Edna Azura, the NAWOJ National Chairperson Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, NILOWV President Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, INWOD President Evelyn Oyilo, and other powerful voices, the women declared full support for Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, praising her as a reformer who has given Nigerian women unprecedented inclusivity.
“We are here in our numbers to let you know that Nigerian women are with you. No one will be allowed to disrupt the good work you are doing for women and children nationwide,” Aisha Ibrahim said. Princess Azura echoed her, warning that the era of “pull-her-down” politics against capable female leaders was over. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh went further, passing a symbolic vote of confidence and pledging that women under her coalition would stand by Imaan even beyond 2027.
The atmosphere became even more charged as female politicians including APC Deputy National Women Leader Hajiya Zainab, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ginika Tor, and others joined the solidarity movement, while religious leaders from FOMWAN and WOWICAN led prayers for the minister, the ministry, and the nation.
Visibly moved, Minister Imaan thanked the women for their overwhelming support and assured them she would remain focused on reforms to uplift women and children across Nigeria, noting that the ministry’s 2025 budget has reached an all-time high. She expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their backing, and announced plans for a “mother of all rallies” in Abuja where women would show the world their unity and resolve.
By the close of the day, what started with protest chants ended in songs of support, prayers, and renewed confidence. Minister Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim walked away not only with her staff reconciled but also with an army of Nigerian women standing solidly in her corner.