The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, says Nigeria’s economic transformation is inseparable from women’s full participation in strategic sectors.
Addressing leaders of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, industry executives, and development partners at the 3rd Edition of the PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention 2026 in Abuja, she positioned gender-responsive policies as a national growth imperative.
Framing her intervention within national policy priorities, she stated “When women rise with purpose, industries evolve; and when women unite with vision, nations are transformed.”
Anchoring on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister framed women’s inclusion as a measurable development strategy rather than a social aspiration.
“It represents a clear shift from abstract growth to inclusive progress; from policy to people; and from intention to measurable impact,” she said, underscoring the administration’s commitment to outcomes-based governance.
In a progressive policy linkage, she highlighted the designation of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development by President Bola Tinubu as a strategic directive for institutional and workplace reform and structural recalibration of national priorities.
“Strong families are the foundation of a resilient nation, and women remain the stabilising force within both the home and the economy,” she affirmed.
Addressing the gender deficit in the oil and gas sector, the Minister warned that low female representation, estimated at 15–20 percent poses a direct constraint on national productivity and sectoral growth.
Calling for deliberate institutional reforms, She stated, “This is not just a gap; it is a loss of value, a limitation on growth, and a missed national opportunity.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim identified the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774) as a flagship mechanism for translating policy into grassroots impact across all 774 local government areas, particularly in economic empowerment, care systems, and social protection.
On economic inclusion, she described the Federal Government’s Affirmative Procurement Policy as a transformative tool for expanding access to opportunities.
“This is how policy translates to power; by moving women from the margins of opportunity to the mainstream of economic influence,” she declared.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, the Minister reiterated the administration’s strategic focus on strengthening women’s economic capacity.
“The President has an ultimate goal, which is to build women’s economic power. Once women’s economic power is being built, socially and politically, we’ll address all of the challenges that we have,” she said.
She also signalled a turning point in women’s political coordination and advocacy across Nigeria, pointing to an emerging unified platform for engagement.
“For the first time, we’re rejuvenating the women’s movement so that women speak with one voice… it’s about the women’s agenda,” she noted
With a forward-looking charge, the Minister urged stakeholders to transition from dialogue to institutional influence, aligning sectoral action with national policy frameworks.
“When women rise fully, strategically, and unapologetically, Nigeria will rise with them.”
she concluded, reinforcing the centrality of women to Nigeria’s economic future