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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has called for strategic collaboration with the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, promote clean cooking initiatives and drive inclusive energy transition in Nigeria.
She made the appeal during a courtesy visit by OGFZA’s Managing Director, Bamanga Usman Jada, to her office in Abuja.
Suleiman-Ibrahim commended Jada’s leadership and described OGFZA’s special economic zone model as globally recognised, noting that it has attracted over $50 billion in investments to support Nigeria’s industrial growth.
She underscored a central pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — placing financial resources directly in the hands of women to accelerate national development.
“Once women are empowered, 90 percent of societal issues will be fixed, including insecurity, because social vices will be tackled at family level and will not escalate to become a national challenge,” the minister said.
Suleiman-Ibrahim emphasised that OGFZA’s impact extends beyond capital inflows, highlighting its role in technology transfer, infrastructure development, job protection and local capacity building.
“What is most commendable is that this model does not only attract billions of dollars, it transfers technology, builds infrastructure, protects jobs and develops local capacity, which are critical elements for sustainable national development,” she added.
Describing the visit as timely, the minister noted that her ministry is implementing a comprehensive clean energy transition programme aligned with presidential initiatives. She pointed out that women dominate key sectors such as the agro-economy, where they account for about 70 percent of the workforce.
She also applauded the gender balance within Jada’s delegation, remarking humorously, “It means you know the benefits of clapping with two hands.”
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Earlier, Jada disclosed that OGFZA has attracted more than $50 billion in investments since its inception, positioning Nigeria as a leading oil and gas hub in Africa.
“We are pioneers when it comes to investment promotion. This economic concept has been successfully adopted in countries like China, India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It has proven to be one of the most acceptable and effective economic growth models globally,” he said.
Jada highlighted the authority’s focus on local capacity development, noting that Nigerians now occupy roles that were previously handled by expatriates.
“Today, most of the positions that were once exclusively handled by foreign experts are being managed by Nigerians. We are building expertise and retaining value within our country,” he stressed.
He also drew attention to OGFZA’s inclusivity initiatives, citing a $150 million APM Terminal project where women reportedly constitute 70 percent of the workforce.
“We are promoting human development and inclusivity. Women are being skilled and empowered to take up strategic roles across the value chain,” Jada said, adding that investors operating within the zones are required to submit corporate social responsibility plans with specific focus on women and youth development.
The OGFZA managing director congratulated the minister on her appointment, describing her as “a technocrat per excellence.”
“She is one of our best from the North; she has proved that she is more than outstanding. We are very proud of you,” he said.
The meeting signals growing inter-agency collaboration aimed at leveraging industrial investment platforms to advance gender inclusion and sustainable energy reforms in Nigeria.
