Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has co-hosted the first-ever Nigeria–China Women’s Infrastructure Investment Forum in Beijing.
The forum is a landmark platform to strengthen bilateral cooperation on gender-responsive infrastructure, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive development.
At the ceremony, jointly hosted by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Mutual Commitment Group, the China Chamber of Commerce for the Petroleum Industry (CCCPI), and the Nigeria–China Friendship Association, were senior government officials, investors, development partners, and private-sector leaders from both nations.
The forum is a defining step in advancing Nigeria–China collaboration and mobilizing investment towards women-led and community-driven growth initiatives.
Held under the theme “Investing in Nigeria’s Future: Harnessing Gender-Responsive Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth and Social Resilience,” the forum highlighted the growing synergy between Nigeria and China in promoting women’s participation in strategic sectors such as energy, agriculture, and trade.
During the forum, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim led Nigeria’s delegation in signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “Enhancing the Participation of Women in Nigeria’s Gas Sector.”
The agreement represents a major step towards accelerating the transition to clean cooking and expanding sustainable energy access for women-led enterprises and households across the country.
The Minister stated that this new MoU complements earlier strategic agreements signed under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR — including the Women Agro Value Expansion (WAVE) Programme and the framework establishing Safe Spaces and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) nationwide.
Together, these initiatives form an integrated blueprint to empower women and strengthen social protection systems across Nigeria.
Speaking at the forum, Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the engagements as “a decisive shift from policy dialogue to measurable action,” noting that they reflect the administration’s clear vision to empower women, strengthen families, and drive inclusive prosperity.
“Through partnerships like these, we are moving from advocacy to execution.
The Renewed Hope Agenda is clear — empower women, strengthen families, and create shared prosperity,” she said.
Unity of purpose
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of the Mutual Commitment Group, Mr. Liu Zhaolong, commended the forum for fostering unity of purpose among partners.
“From clients, partners, and ourselves, all stakeholders are united by shared commitment. Our cooperation means that wherever we work, we will honour our promises.
This agreement gives us great hope and confidence for long-term partnership,” he said.
On her part, the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara commended the Minister for her outstanding efforts. She also reiterated the commitment of the legislative arm of government to protecting and advancing women and children.
She assured that through the historic bill for the Reserved Seats for Women, Nigerian women continue to drive the needed change in narrative of participation and inclusion.
“My presence here today is a testament to the seamless collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of our government.
“We are here to offer the structural assurance that every project discussed today is guided by a strong, supportive, and progressive legal framework”.
The forum also highlighted Nigerian private-sector partners, including Newbury Energy Ltd and Easy Sales Export, who shared experiences on empowering women as key drivers of productivity and innovation.
Both organisations continue to support the implementation of the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII 774) — the Ministry’s flagship initiative targeting 10 million women across all 774 local government areas through programmes in agriculture, energy, digital inclusion, and family infrastructure.