Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has pledged stronger policy support to empower women and youth.
Speaking at a Night of Celebration in honour of Lelook at 40, in Lagos, the Minister said the four decade story of Le Look goes beyond fashion, pointing instead to resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of women’s economic participation.
She described the 40th anniversary of Le Look House of Bags as a landmark in women’s enterprise and national development.
“Looking at the story of Le Look at 40, speaks not only to a business celebration, but a story rooted in hope, love, compassion, resilience, second chance at life and vision,” she stated.
The Minister paid glowing tributes to the founder, Chinwe Ezenwa, for her courage and trailblazing journey.
“Tonight we honour your courage and your legacy. As the first Nigerian entrepreneur to export under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), you placed our women on the continental stage. That act was not just trade; it was trailblazing. You showed that Nigerian women can compete globally and win,” she remarked.
She stressed that the success of the Le Look Brand underscores the broader role women play in building communities and shaping nations.
“Forty years of Le Look is proof that women are not just nation-builders, they are innovators, who pull others from the trenches to dare to dream. When women create opportunities, they create livelihoods. And when women rise, communities and nations rise with them,” the Minister added.
On policy direction, Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the National Gender Policy and the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, designed to harness women’s talents and productivity for Nigeria’s growth.
“At the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, our mandate is driven by the National Gender Policy and the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy. These policies are designed to ensure that women’s talents, skills, and productivity fuel Nigeria’s growth and prosperity.”
She announced that the Ministry is exploring ways to integrate Le Look’s model into the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programme, Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up to reach thousands of women across cooperatives nationwide.
“Tonight, I make a personal commitment that under my watch, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will partner with Le Look Academy under our Renewed Hope Social Impact Programmes. Together, we will train, mentor, and empower women and young persons; preparing them to contribute directly to the one trillion-dollar economy envisioned under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.” The minister stated.
The Minister also introduced the Happy Woman App, describing it as: “Our new digital gateway to connect women with training, mentorship, finance, and markets. For enterprises like Le Look, this is a platform to extend reach, scale impact, and open doors for even more women.”
She emphasised that women are central to achieving Nigeria’s economic goals.
“Nigeria cannot achieve this ambitious goal without its women. Women are not spectators in development; they are essential players, strategic actors, and powerful drivers of growth,” she declared.
Drawing an intersection between Lelook’s 40th anniversary and Nigeria’s 65th independence, she stated: “Le Look at 40 and Nigeria at 65 tell us one thing: resilience is our true strength. Like the eagle in our coat of arms, we rise above storms, carrying with pride the green-white-green banner of hope, peace, and possibility.”
The Minister further affirmed that the milestone aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which envisions women and youth as central to building a one trillion-dollar economy.
She also added that celebrating Le Look at 40 is not only about honouring resilience but also about reinforcing national commitment to inclusive growth, enterprise, and empowerment, where no Nigerian is left behind.