Women Affairs Minister, Suleiman Charges LG Chairmen on Inclusive Development, Social Protection
Oru Leonard
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Ibrahim Suleiman, has called on Local Government Chairmen across Nigeria to strengthen grassroots leadership and deepen social protection delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister made the call while addressing a Stakeholder Engagement with Local Government Chairmen organised by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Suleiman described the engagement as timely and critical to Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive governance, social equity, and sustainable development. She said the theme, “Strengthening Local Government Leadership for Inclusive Development and Social Protection Delivery,” aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian, especially women, children, and vulnerable citizens, is left behind.
According to the Minister, Local Governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and are strategic partners in delivering people-centred governance and essential social services.
She highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774) as one of the flagship programmes aimed at empowering women, vulnerable groups, and communities across the country’s 774 local government areas.“The programme reflects the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every ward, every household, and every community across Nigeria,” she stated.
Suleiman stressed that Local Government Chairmen have a major role to play in identifying vulnerable households, supporting women-led initiatives, mobilising communities, and ensuring transparency in the delivery of social intervention programmes.
The Minister also underscored the importance of the National Social Safety Nets Project–Scale Up (NASSP-SU), noting that the effectiveness of the National Social Register depends on credible community-level data and active collaboration from local authorities.
She further urged council chairmen to support the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the social protection framework to reduce exclusion among women, persons with disabilities, rural dwellers, and other vulnerable populations lacking formal identification.
Suleiman noted that the engagement aligns with the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally initiative launched by the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, themed “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice.”
She appealed to Local Government Chairmen nationwide to support the initiative as part of efforts to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
