100 Days In Office: FG To Empower 10 Million Women Economically By 2027 – Minister Of Women Affairs

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Government of Nigeria, has announced plans to economically empower 10 million Nigerian women by 2027, a move aimed at fostering national productivity, reducing poverty, and driving gender inclusion.

Speaking at a press briefing marking her first 100 days in office, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that women’s economic empowerment is a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s development strategy.

She stated that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, ensuring that women are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to national growth. According to her, the time has come to move beyond policy discussions to tangible actions that directly impact the lives of Nigerian women.

The Minister revealed that the government has already begun implementing key programs to equip women with financial resources, business skills, and opportunities for economic expansion. She announced the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, supported by the World Bank, which will directly benefit 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT. Through this initiative, women will receive financial literacy training, business development support, and access to cooperative structures, enabling them to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

She also disclosed that the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme, in partnership with WEMA Bank, has been launched to train 500,000 women in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. The first phase of the program has commenced in Kano State, where 2,500 women are currently undergoing training at the Ministry of Women Affairs Centre in Dederi and the Kano Hospitality & Tourism Institute in Gyadi-Gyadi.

Recognizing the challenges women face in accessing credit, the Minister announced plans to establish a National Microfinance Framework for Women Entrepreneurs, aimed at bridging the financing gap and ensuring that female business owners have affordable credit, investment opportunities, and gender-responsive financial services to scale their businesses. She stressed that financial independence for women is crucial to national development, and the government is committed to ensuring that women have the necessary support to thrive.

She further noted that the government has launched a food intervention program targeted at women and vulnerable groups, acknowledging the economic difficulties many families are facing. This program not only provides direct food assistance but also supports women-led agricultural enterprises, helping to enhance food security and economic resilience at the grassroots level.

Addressing the broader vision of gender inclusion, the Minister underscored the need for stronger partnerships between the government, private sector, and development organizations to drive real change.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global gender advocacy, stating that the country will take a leadership role at the upcoming CSW69 in New York, where it will champion discussions on financial inclusion, women’s leadership, and child protection.

She also revealed that at COP29 in Azerbaijan, Nigeria will advocate for gender-responsive climate action, ensuring that women’s voices are central to climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

In a bid to strengthen governance and ensure seamless implementation of gender-focused programs, the Minister announced that engagements with Women Affairs Commissioners across the 36 states have been deepened, fostering improved synergy and policy alignment.

She also revealed that the High-Level Presidential Advisory Council on Women and Girls (HLAC) has been convened to coordinate and drive the implementation of gender-focused initiatives at the highest level of governance.

The Minister stressed that these interventions are not just about empowering women economically, but about transforming the entire socio-economic landscape of Nigeria. She stated that when women are financially empowered, families are stronger, communities are more stable, and the economy grows at a faster rate.

She called for collective action from all stakeholders, including policymakers, financial institutions, and the private sector, to ensure that these initiatives are effectively implemented. According to her, the time for small, incremental progress is over.

She declared that the era of bold, transformative action has begun, and the government will do everything necessary to ensure that every Nigerian woman has the opportunity to thrive, succeed, and contribute meaningfully to national development.