The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has been honoured as Distinguished Public Service Icon – Minister of the Year at the 10th Anniversary of the Nigeria Most Influential Awards.
The award held in Abuja, themed “Celebrating 10 Years of Influence and Impact”, recognised Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s leadership, public service and efforts to advance women’s empowerment and social development in Nigeria.
The organisers described the minister as a transformational public leader and strategist whose more than two decades of cross-sector experience spanning government, private enterprise and development practice had fostered national development.
The minister was also recognised for her role in translating policy ideas into programmes with national impact and for advancing innovative approaches to women’s economic empowerment and social development.
Receiving the award, Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the organiser Vivian Lam, saying the honour was both a celebration of achievement and a call to greater service.
“10 years of celebrating excellence and innovation service that has left lasting impacts by exceptional individuals and organisations whose leadership and outstanding achievements continue to shape our nation and beyond,” she said.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of government institutions, development partners and the private sector to the ministry’s work.
“I want to say thank you to multisectoral partners, the other ministries that we partner with, development partners, and the private sectors, who make sure that we deliver for the people,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that social development remained underfunded but said strategic partnerships were helping the government expand its impact.
“The social development space is underinvested in, but because of our partners, we’re able to do more, and trust me, we’ll be doing more,” she said.
Identifying women’s economic empowerment as a major pillar of the administration’s development agenda, she stressed that economically empowered women could contribute more effectively to society.
lauding President Tinubu’s efforts to promote women’s development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister said, “Mr President’s legacy will be the president that has built the women’s economic power in Nigeria because when women have money in their hands, socially, economically, and politically, they’re good to go.”
Also honoured at the ceremony was Force Gender Adviser to the Inspector-General of Police and President of the African Women in Law Enforcement Association, AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju.
Baju received the Distinguished Service in Law Enforcement Award for her contributions to gender-responsive policing and professional service.
The recognitions highlight the contributions of women leaders to public service, institutional development and national transformation.
