The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and state ministries have highlighted significant progress in advancing women’s empowerment, social inclusion and child protection, as stakeholders gathered in Minna for the North-Central Pre-Council Zonal Technical Workshop ahead of the 26th National Council on Women Affairs.
Speaking at the three-day workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Esuabana Nko Asanye, said the ministry has continued to drive policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of women, children and other vulnerable groups, while strengthening gender equality and inclusive national development.
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The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Principal Administrator Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Chukwu Ifunanya Salome, described the National Council on Women Affairs as a strategic platform for developing policies and programmes that promote sustainable livelihoods, economic empowerment, education, healthcare and social protection for women and vulnerable persons across the country.
Esuabana Nko Asanye further stated that the ministry’s mandate remains central to achieving inclusive development by bridging gender gaps, expanding women’s economic opportunities and ensuring that every Nigerian girl has equal access to education and other social services.
She noted that the workshop was designed to equip technical officers from federal and state ministries with the knowledge required to review existing policies, assess achievements from the 25th National Council held in Edo State, and prepare robust memoranda that would shape discussions at the forthcoming 26th National Council.
The Permanent Secretary urged participants to contribute practical and innovative policy proposals in six key thematic areas, including gender mainstreaming, women’s economic empowerment, child rights protection, reproductive health, social welfare and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
Esuabana Nko Asanye also commended state governments for their sustained partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and congratulated newly appointed commissioners for women affairs, assuring them of continued collaboration in delivering impactful programmes across the country.
In her welcome address, the Niger State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hadiza Idris Kuta, said the workshop reflected the growing partnership between the federal and state governments in strengthening social development policies.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, for what she described as renewed commitment to women-focused programmes, saying states are now experiencing greater engagement and support from the Federal Ministry than ever before.
According to the commissioner, regular technical engagements with the Federal Ministry have given states stronger representation in national policy discussions while improving coordination on programmes targeted at women and vulnerable groups.
She equally praised Niger State Governor Umar Mohammed Bago for prioritising women’s inclusion under the New Niger Agenda, noting that the administration has appointed over 130 women into political positions, including 25 female Vice Chairpersons across the state’s local government councils.
Hajiya Kuta further disclosed that Niger State is expanding women’s participation in agriculture through the Nigeria for Women Project while working to extend its benefits to all 25 local government areas.
She said the state is also championing the strengthening of nutrition and disability desks into fully funded directorates, promoting digital literacy for vulnerable children, and advocating harmonised implementation of the Child Rights Law, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and state action plans on Women, Peace and Security across the North Central zone.
The commissioner stressed that women should no longer be viewed merely as beneficiaries of social welfare programmes but as major drivers of economic growth, particularly in the North Central region, regarded as Nigeria’s food basket.
She urged participants to ensure that resolutions reached during the workshop translate into practical action after returning to their respective states.
“We must move beyond policy documents and ensure implementation. It is only through action that we can achieve measurable progress in the lives of women, children and vulnerable members of our society,” she said.
The workshop brought together Permanent Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, technical experts and senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and state ministries across the North Central geopolitical zone to harmonise policy positions ahead of the 26th National Council on Women Affairs.
