Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has hosted an interfaith Iftar and Lent fast-breaking evening in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.
The gathering brought together women leaders, development partners and stakeholders to pray and reflect on unity, rights, governance and the role of women in national development.
Addressing attendees, the minister described the moment as a defining period for Nigerian women, stressing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had prioritised women and families.
“When I assumed this role, the first thing I said was that it is Women O’Clock. It’s truly Women O’Clock in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim urged women to continue supporting the President, noting that his policies had placed women at the centre of national priorities, with the declaration of 2026 as the year of Social Development and Families.
“He has prioritised the issues of women. It has become a national priority, our children as well, and we all know what that means when we have strong families,” she stated.
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim also hinted on plans for a major women’s mobilisation convergence in Abuja.
“In a few weeks’ time, we are going to be doing the mother of all convenings at the Eagle Square. All women across party lines will come together and speak with one voice to thank the President and to endorse him,” she said.
According to her, the mobilisation would form part of a broader effort to consolidate women’s political influence.
“The convening is just for one thing – it’s operation 20 million votes, and we will go and march to Mr President with our requests and prayers,” she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim further stressed the need for unity among women in politics.
“Politics is a game of interests. We won’t follow blindly anymore. We must make sure in Nigeria we have a women’s movement like never before,” she said.
The Wife of the Minister of Defence Mrs Oghogho Musa while commending the Minjster for her track record of impacts, pledged to galvanise the leadership of Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) where she served as erstwhile President to key into the Ministry’s family centered Agenda .
Also speaking, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, commended the minister for placing women, children and families at the heart of development.
“Thank you for your leadership, for bringing women and children and families at the heart of development. Thank you for being an anchor and a friend to the United Nations family,” she said.
Attafuah noted that the interfaith fast-breaking reflected shared values of compassion and solidarity during the Ramadan and Lent seasons.
“It’s a time that we show compassion, it’s a time that we show solidarity, and it’s a time that we really look into our shared responsibility as a collective,” she stated.
She emphasised that conversations around faith must also address rights and opportunities for women.
“The kind of rights we are talking about are opportunities for women,” Attafuah said.
The UNDP representative also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in governance.
“The role of women in political decision making becomes very important, so as a collective I think we should keep our eyes on the ball,” she stated, referencing ongoing advocacy around the Special Seats Bill.
Attafuah also pledged continued support from the United Nations system.
“As you prepare to go for CSW, we are with you. We are with the women of Nigeria and every support that we can provide, as the United Nations family and the UNDP in particular, we are going to do that,”she said.
The event featured testimonials from beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Agenda empowerment initiatives.
A beneficiary, Aisha Ibrahim Baiyee, commended the minister for amplifying women’s concerns.
“As far as Nigerian women are concerned, you have taken what concerns us to the appropriate channel. It has never been like this. You changed the narrative and we remain grateful,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Juliana Yepwi, a woman with disability, expressed appreciation for the programme’s impact on her education.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, as a person with disability I have been excluded from paying school fees… today I have the chance to go for my PhD,” she said.
Highlight of the event was a motion moved by Princess Nikki Onyeri and seconded by leading disability rights advocate in Nigeria Lois Auta, calling on the minister to lead Nigerian women in campaigning for the re-election of President Tinubu for a second term.