Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, recently presented a scorecard showcasing a progressive advancement in the nation’s gender equality, economic revival, and family resilience blueprint under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It was quite a declaration of intent, as Nigeria flagged off the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) and the pre-Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) with a high-level ministerial press briefing, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and attended by all critical stakeholders in Abuja.
The Minister, described 2026, already proclaimed the Year of Families and Social Development as Nigeria’s pivotal moment declared; “Nations rise when vision meets action, when leadership chooses discipline over delay. Mr President has set the tone, we must ride on it and that’s why I say it is Women O’Clock.”
Spotlighting the global theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” and campaign slogan “Give to Gain,” she tied both to national economic imperatives.
Citing the International Finance Corporation’s estimate that closing Nigeria’s gender financing gap could unlock $14.8 billion annually into the nation’s $1 trillion economy forecast, she noted, “Every dollar invested in women’s economic empowerment generates between seven and twelve dollars in returns.”
Highlighting seismic progress, Sulaiman-Ibrahim disclosed that social protection now reaches 9.4 million households, with women as 70% of beneficiaries, a leap from under one million in 2015.
Also, the 36 states and the FCT have domesticated the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), up from 15 in 2015. The Ministry, under President Tinubu-led administration, has now activated new mandates, including a Nutrition Department, a reviewed National Child Protection Policy after 18 years, the National Action Plan to End Violence Against Children, and the launched Third National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.
At the centrepiece is the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions 774 (RHSII-774), adjudged Nigeria’s largest women’s empowerment drive.
Flagship programmes include “EmpowerHer774”, targeting livelihoods across 774 LGAs; the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Programme, in collaboration with the World Bank and subnationals, targeting 4.5 million women via 300,000 collectives; and Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) for agribusiness.
Other initiatives are: PowerHer774, Women in Gas (WINGs) boosting clean energy entrepreneurship by women, Women-on-Wheels mobility assets through CREDICORP, the ₦500 billion Women-Led MSME financing, the Family First Project backed by care economy reforms and GBV National Action Plan strengthened with Sexual Assault Referral Centres expansion.
Also introduced is the Happy Woman App for digital access, and Affirmative Procurement through the Bureau of Public Procurement. “These are not promises, they are programmes in motion,” the Minister affirmed.
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim candidly addressed challenges like scaling SARCs from 50 to 500 nationwide in tandem with international benchmarks and expressed the hope of possible attainment through viable partnerships and collaborations.
Echoing a global sense of urgency, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous’s IWD message warns of a “moment of contradiction.”
“We have never been so close to achieving gender equality, and never closer to losing it,” she stated.
Amid rising violence, organised backlash, and rights reversals, Bahous positioned UN Women as a steadfast ally, from crisis zones to global forums, vowing that nothing will stop the fight until equality is realised.
She however, urged for a turning point: “Break the silence. Demand rights and justice. Fund women’s rights movements. End impunity. Deliver equality, in laws, in life, everywhere.”
In Abuja, the UNFPA Country Representative, Ms Muriel Mafico, sounded a clarion call for leadership and partnerships. “Leadership matters, and your presence, along with all these leaders, is testimony to what can be achieved when leadership leads,” she said.
Underscoring UNFPA’s commitment to amplifying Nigeria’s women-centred agenda, together with development partners and embassies, Mafico emphasised building sustainable collaborative momentum; “Partnerships for impact – that’s what we represent, and that’s our pledge to accompany and support your vision.”
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs Beatrice Eyong, while praising Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s trailblazing CSW69 presence, delivered a passionate reaffirmation of solidarity; “Nigerian women were there, ministers, men too and Nigeria’s voice was heard. She took commitments on gender equality, GBV, and economic empowerment, among the first globally.”
Aligning with Nigeria’s national policy, Eyong detailed UN Women’s four pillars: women’s leadership -backing the Reserved Special Seats Bill; economic empowerment – “Put money in women’s hands, families and communities rise, GBV eradication, and Women, Peace, Security, plus humanitarian action.
“Any peace process without women won’t stand; with women, it lasts,” she asserted, adding “Empowering women isn’t charity – it’s smart economics. When she gains, Nigeria grows.” Eyong affirmed.
The European Union (EU) Head of Delegation, Gautier Mignot, elevated the discourse to universal stakes: “International Women’s Day isn’t just March 8, it must be every day, for the benefit of all society, including men and boys.”
Citing science, he noted that mixed-gender teams outperform single-sex ones in classrooms, research, and companies: “A society using 100% of its capacity is more prosperous, more efficient.”
Referencing an earlier gathering with global ambassadors advancing gender equality, Mignot Congratulated Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reaffirming the EU’s commitment: “You can count on us and the diplomatic community.”
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, offered a sectoral reassurance rooted in action: “Nigerian women can relax, smile, and be happy. President Tinubu prioritises them, declaring 2026 the Year of Social Support for Families.”
She praised the Minister’s initiatives and drive “She always asks, ‘Where are the Nigerian women?’ Invest in women, invest in the nation.”
Ahmed detailed the education sector thrust: Girls’ education ranks third among six priorities, with AGILE, Lumina, and skill programmes targeting empowerment. “We’re in safe hands,” she stated.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, framed women’s advancement as Nigeria’s economic bedrock: “They need a level playing field. When women are empowered and children are protected, families are supported, productivity increases, communities thrive and the nation grows stronger.”
He lauded the Women’s Affairs and Social Development Ministry’s leadership under Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim for fostering and strengthening holistic inclusion; “I want to commend you on driving the social impact interventions that you have. Your dedication, leadership and your work does continue to inspire confidence that together we can build a more inclusive compassionate Nigeria.”
Under Renewed Hope, Edun linked social protection to productivity: “under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his renewed Hope agenda and action plan as he has placed social protection inclusiveness, including women, including all groups at the heart of human capital development and the transformation of the economy”
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, took a resilient stand on the need to pass the reserved Seats bill for governance equity.
“As mothers, we will continue to be resilient we are not backing down we will take the bull by the horn and make sure whether the men like it or not, if they like let them give us the reserve seats. If they don’t want to give us reserve seats we will come and contest with them.” She said
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Temitope Ajayi, also pledged solidarity, “I am here to assure you that our president himself is behind you. We are here to show solidarity and to assure you that the government that you serve will continue to support you, continue to support Nigeria, women.”
On behalf of civil society organisations, National Council for Women Society President Edna Azura prayed for 35% affirmative action;
“We are with you at night and day to mobilise Nigerian women for you so that we achieve, so that we rise to the standard, so that we will achieve our 35 percent affirmative action and even rise to the next level,” she prayed.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, speaking at an International Women’s Day women mega rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the 2026 IWD is a celebration of the remarkable strength, dedication, contributions and achievements of women across the world.
According to her, this year’s theme, Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls, is a call to action, as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already designated 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development in Nigeria.
She added that the government recognising strong families as a national asset, affirms that “Women’s empowerment and family stability are essential to security, productivity and long-term national cohesion.
“Protecting the rights of our women and girls by ensuring access to education, economic empowerment, health, social protection and equity is an investment in our collective future.” The First Lady affirmed.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu encouraged women to be positive tools for change at homes, businesses, communities and the nation because “When women lead with purpose, the entire nation feels the impact.
“The reforms already started by this administration are designed to create a lasting legacy of transformation and prosperity for all Nigerians. We must protect the progress we have made and keep building on it.” The First Lady added
Representing Commissioners from 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT’s Mandate Secretary Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi said: “Empowered women empower hope.” The message of International Women’s Day, which is about partnerships and all of the collaborations that are driving not just change but are leading for Africa and from Nigeria,” she said.
As Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim leads Nigeria’s CSW70 delegation from March 9 to 19, in New York, coordinated with Foreign Affairs and the UN Mission, Nigeria is championing African priorities on gender and poverty.
Domestic and international partners and civil society groups are providing the needed adrenaline to drive national and continental change.
With the 2026 IWD themed; “Rights. Justice. Action For All Women and Girls,” as the rallying call and #Give To Gain as not just a seasonal slogan, Nigeria’s signals are clear: invest in women, gain a nation reborn.