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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, officially inaugurated the Federal Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) in Abuja.
She hailed it as a crucial milestone reflecting Nigeria’s firm commitment to gender equality, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development.
In a statement by her media aide, Jonathan Eze, the Minister highlighted the programme’s success as the country’s leading women’s economic empowerment initiative, transforming how social protection and livelihood interventions are delivered.
The scale-up phase represents the expansion of the programme from its initial 2018–2024 pilot phase to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, integrating valuable lessons learned.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained, “The scale-up project brings together financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection under one national platform, turning Women Affinity Groups into permanent economic institutions with stronger ties to formal finance, markets, and public services.”
She emphasised that replacing fragmented interventions with a systemic model positions women “as the drivers of Nigeria’s inclusive growth, resilience, and long-term stability.”
The Minister further affirmed the alignment of NFWP-SU with the Nigeria Women Economic Empowerment Policy, the World Bank’s Global Crises Response Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals focused on gender equality and peace. She acknowledged the project faced about an 18-month delay but noted that implementation had already begun successfully in 18 states and received a satisfactory rating from the recent World Bank Implementation Support Mission.
“The success of this scale-up depends on every one of us here. When we empower a woman, we empower a household, and when we empower millions of women, we recalibrate an entire economy,” she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim urged committee members to stay dedicated to the vision of unlocking women’s economic potential as a cornerstone of national prosperity.
She concluded, “Women’s economic empowerment is not an act of charity but a form of nation-building, peace-building, and climate action rolled into one.”
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mariam Keshinro described the inauguration as yet another pivotal step towards advancing women’s economic inclusion nationwide. She recalled how the Nigeria for Women Programme, a flagship Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank, had effectively broken barriers hindering women’s productivity and income generation.
“From 2018 to 2024, the parent project empowered thousands of women with access to financial services, capacity building, and Women Affinity Groups that serve as platforms for solidarity, entrepreneurship, and community development,” Keshinro stated. “The scale-up will extend these benefits to millions more across the country.”
She urged the committee members to embrace their “technical and moral responsibility because the hopes of millions of Nigerian women are tied to the work we embark on together.”
National Coordinator Dr. Hadiza Maina provided an update on the programme’s progress, praising the Federal Government, World Bank, and development partners for their sustained support. She said the scale-up aims to reach about four million women nationwide by building on the parent project’s success.
Representing the World Bank, Michael Ilesanmi commended the Nigerian government’s dedication to sustaining women’s inclusion in national development. He noted tangible improvements in savings culture, entrepreneurship, and livelihoods across participating states and pledged ongoing support to ensure the programme’s long-term success.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, lauded the project as a crucial driver of inclusive growth and human capital development. He pledged that the Ministry would continue providing technical oversight to maintain transparency and alignment with fiscal priorities.
“Empowering women economically translates directly into improved productivity, better family welfare, and overall national development. The Nigeria for Women Programme is a sound investment in our future,” Edun said.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, highlighted how the programme aligns with the National Development Plan (2021–2025) and the broader economic strategy for sustainable growth. He underscored the government’s commitment to ensure “no segment of society is left behind.”
The inauguration ceremony brought together key officials from ministries including Agriculture, Health, Water Resources, Communications, Trade, SMEDAN, NAFDAC, and EFInA.
The newly formed Federal Steering Committee will oversee strategic coordination, approve workplans and budgets, monitor implementation, and enhance collaboration across agencies.
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