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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), declaring that empowering 25 million Nigerian women was central to the country’s ambition of building a $1trillion economy.
The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, unveiled the programme yesterday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, describing it as a decisive step towards inclusive national development.
“We have set a bold but achievable national ambition: to reach 25 million Nigerian women through this programme,” Tinubu said, adding that digital inclusion had become critical to national progress.
“Digital inclusion is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective service delivery and national competitiveness,” he stated.
The President emphasised that the scale-up of the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to placing women at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“Today marks a decisive moment in our national development journey and a clear affirmation of this administration’s priorities. With this launch of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, we are reinforcing our deliberate choice to place women’s economic empowerment, child protection, family strengthening, and social development at the very centre of Nigeria’s growth strategy,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that nations that fail to prioritise women risk stagnation and instability.
“A nation that relegates its women is a nation bound for implosion. We have long understood this truth. That is why this administration has not only placed women at the forefront of decision-making but has also entrusted them with leadership in causes that redeem our national promise,” he declared.
The President noted that the expansion of the programme was based on verifiable successes recorded during its first phase, which reached over one million beneficiaries across six states.
“This confirms an important principle of this administration: we act on evidence, not assumptions. What works will be strengthened, expanded, and institutionalised,” he said.
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He highlighted the central role of women in Nigeria’s economic life, describing them as the backbone of key sectors, such as agriculture, trade, manufacturing and small businesses.
“Women are central to agriculture, trade, manufacturing, the creative industries, technology, health, education, and the informal sector. They are the backbone of micro, small, and medium enterprises,” he noted.
According to him, the programme will provide women with access to finance, skills acquisition, digital tools, energy solutions and markets in order to enhance productivity, food security and job creation.
He particularly referenced the “Happy Woman App,” a digital platform designed to improve service delivery and inclusion for women entrepreneurs.
“This is sound economics, prudent governance, and responsible statecraft. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s economic infrastructure,” the President affirmed.
Tinubu urged the World Bank and other development partners to support the nationwide rollout of the initiative and commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for integrating digital solutions into the programme.
“Every programme must be measurable, verifiable, and accountable,” he insisted.
The President also announced that 2026 has been designated as Nigeria’s Year of Social Development and Families.
He explained that the declaration followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during his official visit to Turkey in January, aimed at strengthening family cohesion and social welfare systems.
“Strong families are a national security and development asset,” Tinubu said.
The NFWP-SU is expected to deepen financial inclusion, enhance economic opportunities for women and contribute significantly to the realisation of the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification and growth agenda.
