Nigeria Pledges to Strengthen Family Institutions at International Forum

Oru Leonard

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to placing families at the forefront of national development. Speaking at the International Family Forum (IFF) in Turkiye, the minister highlighted the administration’s efforts to integrate family-focused approaches into national policy.

Key initiatives include:

• National Framework for Family Cohesion has been developed to address global challenges faced by families and integrate family-centered policies.

• National Family Strengthening and Development Programme (NFSP): A community-driven initiative to address poverty, domestic violence, and social disruptions within families.
• Committee for Family Cohesion: Established to strengthen the National Framework for Family Cohesion.
• National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children: Introduced to ensure vulnerable children receive appropriate care and complement the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children.

The minister called for international cooperation to develop a framework for promoting family resilience and endorsed a Joint Declaration on safeguarding and strengthening families. She also urged multilateral institutions to increase investments in family policies and integrate family well-being into the sustainable development agenda.

“Globalization should not erode family values but serve as a bridge to promote inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable models that reinforce cultural dignity” ,Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim emphasized.

The minister’s remarks underscore Nigeria’s commitment to prioritizing family institutions and promoting sustainable development.