President Bola Tinubu has launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to anchor Nigeria’s growth on women, families and social development.
The $540 million initiative, co-financed by the World Bank, Federal and State Governments targets five million women directly across 36 states and the FCT—with ambitions to reach 25 million Nigerians.
Speaking at the Presidential Launch of NFWP-SU in Abuja, the President announced 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, describing the initiative as “not merely a social intervention; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s economic infrastructure.”
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described the programme as “a decisive moment in our National Development journey,” stressing that inclusion is now a permanent feature of governance.
He declared that, “Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable growth if half of its population remains structurally constrained. Women are not peripheral to National Development. They are central drivers of productivity.”
Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Iman Ibrahim-Sulaiman said the launch sends a clear signal that women are now positioned at the heart of national systems. “Women are no longer treated as beneficiaries at the margins of development, but as primary drivers of Nigeria’s economic, social, and democratic stability,” she said.
She reported that Phase One of the programme delivered measurable outcomes, with 26,577 Women Affinity Groups and over 560,000 members, who collectively saved ₦4.9 billion.
Phase II projects delivering more jobs, financial inclusion, and democratic gains, according to her, “when women are organised into structured affinity groups… the results are measurable, durable, and transformative.”
On the national scale-up, the Minister stated that Phase Two represents “one of the largest investments in women by any government on the continent,” noting that the $540 million programme, co-financed by the World Bank and governments, will reach at least five million women across all 36 states and the FCT.
From the legislature, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, representing the Senate President, underscored firm parliamentary backing.
She said the programme “aligns strongly with the legislative priorities of the National Assembly and reinforces our commitment to inclusive growth, gender-responsive governance and sustainable national development.”
She assured stakeholders of continued legislative action, stating, “the continued support of the National Assembly in strengthening the legal and institutional framework that expands opportunities for women and protects their contributions to national progress.”
Development partners also delivered strong validation.
Robert Chase of the World Bank described the programme as “an engine for inclusion and women’s economic empowerment at scale,” adding that it “builds a powerful last-mile service delivery platform that helps smooth consumption, manage shocks, and invest in productive assets.”
He said placing women at the centre of growth ensures that “development gains become more durable and inclusive. This is how impact is sustained.”
Similarly, the World Bank Country Director Mathew Verghis reinforced the economic case, noting that women’s empowerment is central to growth and jobs.
He highlighted the success of Women Affinity Groups, saying, “What if there were five million Victorias across Nigeria?” and added that closing gender gaps could yield billions of dollars in additional GDP, demonstrating the scale of opportunity.
The Gates Foundation’s Uche Amawu said: “Nigeria is setting a global example… expanding women’s access to finance, markets, skills, and digital tools… is one of the smartest economic investments Nigeria can make today.”
Meanwhile the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, gave strong endorsement on behalf of the steering committee, emphasising women in agriculture.
“Just yesterday… I was in Ashwagandha of Nassarawa State commissioning rice milling factories and cassava processing factories, where I saw the impact of processes of agriculture has impacted over 22,000 women… when you see women dancing and being joyful.. It also aligns with the Mr. President’s eight-point agenda and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Kyari said
On behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Faruk Lawal Jobe said the programme reflects “a deliberate national choice to place Nigerian women at the very centre of our economic renewal and social stability,” citing substantial state counterpart funding and expansion plans.
The consensus across all voices was clear: empowering women is not charity, but disciplined policy, sound economics and a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national transformation.
The event was witnessed by ministers, governors, lawmakers, civil society organisations, women groups and development partners.