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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 boost women’s economic empowerment, clean cooking initiatives and an inclusive energy transition.
She made the appeal during a courtesy visit by OGFZA managing director Bamanga Usman Jada to her office in Abuja.
Suleiman-Ibrahim praised Jada as a high achiever and commended OGFZA’s globally recognised special economic zone model, which has attracted over $50 billion in investments to drive Nigeria’s industrial growth.
She highlighted a key mandate under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda: placing financial resources directly in women’s hands. “Once women are empowered, 90 per cent of societal issues will be fixed, including insecurity, because social vices will be tackled at the family level and will not escalate to become a national challenge,” she stated.
The minister stressed OGFZA’s broader impacts beyond capital inflows. “What is most commendable is that this model not only attracts billions of dollars, but it also transfers technology, builds infrastructure, protects jobs and develops local capacity, which are critical elements for sustainable national development,” she added.
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Describing the visit as timely amid her ministry’s comprehensive clean energy transition programme aligned with presidential initiatives, she noted women’s dominance in sectors like the agro-economy (70 per cent) and lauded OGFZA’s gender balance — evident in Jada’s delegation. “It means you know the benefits of clapping with two hands,” she quipped.
Earlier, Jada disclosed that OGFZA has attracted over $50 billion in investments since its inception, positioning Nigeria as a top oil and gas hub. “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 proved to be one of the most acceptable and effective economic growth models globally,” he said.
He emphasised local capacity building, with Nigerians now filling roles once held 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,” Jada stressed.
Jada spotlighted OGFZA’s inclusivity drive, including a $150 million APM Terminal where women make up 70 per cent 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,” he said. Investors in the zones must also submit corporate social responsibility plans focused on women and youth.
The MD congratulated the minister, calling her “a technocrat par 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 added.
