Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs Calls for Enhanced Collaboration to Achieve Gender Equality
Oru Leonard
Abuja, June 24, 2025 – The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has emphasized the need for strengthened collaboration between the Federal and State Ministries of Women Affairs to achieve gender equality and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Minister highlighted the importance of building a unified and results-driven national Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE), architecture.
She lamented the alarming statistics of women’s marginalization in Nigeria, including low education completion rates, high maternal mortality, and limited representation in key sectors.
The Minister announced the distribution of ICT equipment to State Ministries of Women Affairs to enhance data-driven programming and coordination.
She emphasized the need for States to domesticate and localize the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, especially at the Local Government level.
The Minister urged State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to proactively build inter-ministerial and inter-agency partnerships, and to become advocates for women’s empowerment and gender equality in their respective States.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted Nigeria’s progress in women’s representation as Women now constitute 32% of judicial officers, surpassing the global average, holding key positions, including Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Accountant-General of the Federation. In the Banking and Finance, Women hold over 27% of board seats and 33% of executive roles.
She announced a national-level dialogue on women’s political representation, scheduled for July 9, 2025, and a National Council on Women Affairs meeting in Edo State, focusing on Children and Family Cohesion.
“I charge all State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to proactively build inter-ministerial and inter-agency partnerships in your States. Women’s Affairs must no longer be treated as peripheral. We must be seen, and act, as central players in policy, planning, and national development.” – Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim concluded.
