The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment as a central pillar of national development.
Speaking at the grand finale of the “Give to Gain” Summit marking the 2026 International Women’s Month at the State House, Abuja, the Minister while emphasising the enduring nature of advocacy for women, positioned inclusion, economic access, and family-centred policies as critical drivers of growth.
She anchored the commitment within the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that women are central to Nigeria’s development trajectory.
“Advocacy for women is not an event; it is a movement. Not a moment, but a mandate. Women are no longer waiting to be included; they are being positioned at the very centre of transformation,” she said.
Highlighting the economic imperative, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim stressed that women’s inclusion is essential to achieving national prosperity.
“Closing this gap is not charity; it is strategy. We do not inch forward in spite of women; we rise because of them. ‘Closing this gap is not charity; it is strategy,'” she said.
On economic empowerment, the Minister noted that despite contributing significantly to agriculture and the broader economy, women remain excluded from critical resources, women-led enterprises face structural barriers.
“Women-owned businesses remain largely concentrated in the informal sector, with over 80% operating without access to formal credit or structured markets,” she said.
Referencing guidance from the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, “Go and put money in women’s hands”, she underscored the philosophy driving the summit’s theme.
“When you give to a woman, you do not give to one; you give to many. Women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities.” she stated
The Minister outlined the government’s strategic interventions under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII 774), describing it as a comprehensive framework for empowerment.
“This framework is not operating in isolation; it is firmly aligned with the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy (2023), ensuring that our interventions are measurable, scalable, and sustainable,” she said.
She further highlighted a landmark policy shift aimed at expanding economic inclusion.
“The approval of the Affirmative Procurement Policy under the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy framework ensures structured and equitable access for women-owned enterprises to participate in public procurement processes,” she stated.
On social development, she referenced the President’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development as “not a ceremonial gesture; it is a strategic recalibration of our national priorities.”
She linked the initiative to global commitments, including outcomes from the Commission on the Status of Women, emphasising the need to address unpaid care work.
“When we invest in care systems, we give women time, dignity, and opportunity to gain economically and socially,” she noted.
The Minister also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups through existing legal frameworks.
“Every child must be safeguarded and every woman must live free from violence,” she said, referencing the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
Looking ahead, she called for increased participation of women in governance and national processes.
“The time is coming when women will stand shoulder to shoulder in governance, equal in number, equal in voice, and equal in influence,” she stated.
She announced a major national mobilisation effort.
“The 10 Million Women Mega Empowerment and Rally, themed ‘One Voice, One Movement, One Choice,’ scheduled for the 5th of May at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, is not just a gathering; it is a declaration of unity, visibility, and purpose,” she said.
In conclusion, the Minister reinforced the philosophical underpinning of the initiative.
“When we give our resources, our knowledge, our support, we ignite transformation. And when women gain, societies advance,” she said.
The summit underscores a policy-driven push to institutionalise gender inclusion, strengthen family systems, and accelerate national development through women-focused reforms.