The Gombe State Government has approved and released ₦3.5 billion in additional counterpart funding to expand the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) to the remaining eight Local Government Areas of the state.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya made the commitment in Deba, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, where women showcased the operations of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), including collective savings, access to loans and mutual support.
The expansion is expected to extend the project’s benefits to more women across the state and strengthen their access to financial and economic opportunities.
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, said the move is aimed at widening economic opportunities, strengthening financial inclusion and improving the livelihoods of more women across Gombe.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to women’s welfare and economic empowerment, Jatau said the additional counterpart funding would facilitate the expansion of the programme, enabling more women across the state to access opportunities capable of improving their economic well-being and strengthening their contributions to their families and communities.
The World Bank Task Team Lead on NFWP-SU, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, described Gombe as one of the flagship states of the Nigeria for Women Programme.
He said Gombe NFWP had “turned the corner”, commending the state government for releasing the ₦3.5 billion counterpart funding to extend the programme to all Local Government Areas.
The NFWP-SU National Coordinator, Dr. Hadiza Maina, commended Governor Yahaya for his commitment to women’s development and empowerment.
Maina also appreciated the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim for her steadfast support and commitment to empowering women across Nigeria through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
She said: “Through their Affinity Groups, women are able to save, support one another, develop livelihoods, access finance and participate more actively in economic and community development. By combining community institutions with financial support, technical assistance and effective project systems, the Programme is working to turn collective action into sustainable economic opportunities.”
Maina said investing in women strengthens families and communities, stressing that expanding the programme would provide more women with opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
She said; “As we reflect on this journey, we acknowledge the invaluable partnership of the Nigerian Government, the World Bank, participating state governments, project teams, implementing partners and, most importantly, the women and communities whose commitment continues to drive the Program forward. Together, we remain committed to strengthening women’s agency, improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for women across Nigeria.”
Saddika Muhammad said joining a Women Affinity Group taught her the importance of regular savings and collective effort, while Talati Usman said the support had strengthened her small business and increased her confidence to contribute to her family’s welfare.
For the women of Deba, the engagement provided an opportunity to demonstrate how modest savings, collective support and access to finance can translate into stronger livelihoods and greater economic participation.
The NFWP-SU Scale-Up seeks to transform the six-state pilot into a nationwide institutional framework, with an ambition to reach more than 10 million Nigerian women by 2028 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Dignitaries at the event included; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Associate Professor Bertha Abdu; Emir of Deba, Alhaji Ahmed Usman; and Chairman, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, Alhaji Yunusa Yakubu, among others.
