Glory Ohagwu
The 25th National Council on Women and Social Development held in Benin City, Edo State, has ended with a communiqué outlining new measures to drive the next phase of gender and social inclusion reforms across Nigeria.
Presided over by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Chair of Council, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the meeting was attended by State Commissioners of Women Affairs, the Director-General, Maryam Babangida, National Centre for Women Development, and Development Partners.
A total of 145 memoranda were received, and 115 were considered by Council, comprising 27 Federal Memoranda and 88 State Memoranda, reflecting policy inputs on strengthening social protection and accelerating inclusive development.
The communiqué presented by the Dean of States Commissioners and Commissioner of Women Affairs, Cross River State, Hon. Edema Irom, stated that deliberations focused on “aligning sub-national priorities with the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing systems strengthening, social protection, and inclusivity.”
Key Council Recommendations
Council resolved that “both Federal and State Governments strengthen institutional frameworks for the implementation of gender and social inclusion policies.”
It stated that “States are encouraged to prioritize capacity building, entrepreneurship support, and digital inclusion for women and youth, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The communiqué added that “A National Annual Retreat on Women Affairs should be introduced for learning and sharing of best practices amongst members.”
The Council emphasized “the need to invest in building a cadre of certified gender professionals… ensuring that gender is not treated as a peripheral issue but as a central pillar of national planning, budgeting, and service delivery.”
Council also “recommends improved budgetary allocations to Women and Child Development programmes” and called for “robust data collection and management systems to monitor the progress of gender and child-related interventions at all levels.”
Furthermore, the National Council urged “enhanced synergy between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, State Ministries, and Development Partners to deepen social impact and accelerate progress toward achieving gender equality goals.”
Council Appreciations
Council expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “his purposeful leadership of the nation and the inspirational direction… through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was commended for “her resilience and support in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian Women and Children.”
The Council appreciated the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for “her visionary leadership and unwavering efforts in repositioning the Ministry” and to development partners and civil society organizations for their support.
Council further acknowledged the Government of Taraba State for offering to host the 26th Regular National Council on Women Affairs Meeting.
The communiqué affirmed that the Council remains “the apex policy-making forum… a vital platform for articulating and harmonising strategies that promote the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable populations.”
The Council, convened by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, was held with the theme: “Strengthening Systems and Deepening Social Impacts: Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda for Women, Children, Families and Other Vulnerable Groups.”
A three-day technical session leading to the Ministerial Session, chaired by Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, highlighted the need for more synergy, collaborations, and progressive policies by all stakeholders to better the lives of women, children, and the vulnerable in the country.
Lateefah Ibrahim