As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration concludes its second year, an evaluation of women’s development reveals a blend of commitments, ongoing initiatives, and persistent challenges; ENE OSHABA writes.
Policy pronouncements, key initiatives
From the outset, President Tinubu’s administration indicated a focus on women’s issues. In his 2025 International Women’s Day message, the president reiterated his dedication to dismantling systemic obstacles, broadening access to finance, and ensuring equitable participation across all sectors. He stressed his administration’s commitment to prioritising women’s welfare.
President Tinubu gave the assurance in a statement signed by his ten media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, commemorating the 2024 International Women’s Day, celebrated under the theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ He acknowledged the significant role women play in nation-building.
“In every discipline and field of human endeavor, the standout achievements of Nigerian women have become a testament to the resilience, strength, courage, and ingenuity of all women across the world, as well as a mark of their exceptional quality as emissaries of hope and possibilities,” the statement noted.
The statement read further, “The theme fits well within his administration’s policy initiatives on educating and empowering women, not only through inclusion in governance, but also by ensuring that they remain relevant and unimpeachable voices in the development process across all sectors of the economy.
The statement further read, “My administration is focused on providing investments in educating the girl child, while fostering inclusive programs and initiatives that bolster their active roles in the areas of knowledge, science, technology, research and innovation into the future.”
The Ministry of Women Affairs, led by its current leadership, has been central to these efforts, initiating and expanding several key programmes. A notable development is the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which aims to reach 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT.
This programme concentrates on financial literacy, business development support, and the creation of cooperative structures to facilitate access to credit. Complementing this is the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme, a collaboration with WEMA Bank, targeting 500, 000 women for training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, with its initial phase already active in Kano state.
The Ministry has also been crucial in developing a National Microfinance Framework to address long-standing gaps hindering women entrepreneurs. Other direct interventions include food assistance for vulnerable women and platforms like Women in Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) and the Nigeria Women Trade Village, designed to create economic opportunities in agriculture and trade.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, articulated the necessity for a swift action to implement the NFWP-SU and other projects tailored for women’s growth. She said “the project approved in June 2023, aims to empower 4.5 million women across Nigeria through economic inclusion, financial empowerment, and access to essential skills and resources.”
Beyond economic empowerment, the administration has intensified efforts in child protection and rights awareness, with sensitization programs on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 reaching thousands of women. Support for victims of domestic violence has been enhanced, alongside efforts to review the Child Rights Act (2003) and the National Child Policy. Furthermore, there is an increasing emphasis on engaging women in climate action, promoting their participation in planting economic trees, climate-smart agriculture, and supporting female-owned climate-friendly startups.
During the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, President Tinubu affirmed that concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child are in place. He added that plans have been finalized to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to coordinate all issues affecting Nigerian children in a unified and focused manner.
He said, “Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children.
“But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable — it is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference. That is why our national strategy also embraces prevention and early intervention.”
Progress, gaps
A key promise of the Tinubu administration was a commitment to the 35% affirmative action target for women in government positions, aligning with Nigeria’s National Gender Policy from 2006. Two years in, the reality presents a mixed picture. While women have been included in key presidential aide roles and other public service positions, the initial cabinet appointments saw approximately 18.75% women representation in the Federal Executive Council, falling short of the pledged 35%.
This underrepresentation extends to legislative bodies, with only 3.7% of the Senate and 5% of Houses of Assembly members being women, a decline from previous years. This disparity raises concerns about the diversity of perspectives in policy formulation and the adequate addressing of women’s issues. Advocates continue to call for constitutional reforms to mandate quotas in political offices, stressing that robust participation of women at all levels is crucial for tangible progress.
Challenges, path forward
Despite the commendable initiatives, significant challenges persist. Economic disparities remain stark, with a vast majority of women in the workforce confined to self-employment and limited access to formal wage employment. Digital exclusion is also prevalent, hindering women’s access to information and opportunities in the digital economy. Cultural norms continue to impact women’s autonomy, particularly in health and reproductive decisions, and issues like child marriage and trafficking remain critical concerns.
Furthermore, while budgetary allocations have seen increases in certain areas related to women’s economic empowerment, there is a need for more institutionalised tracking of funding and a balanced approach to addressing diverse gender equality aspects. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of some “empowerment” programmes, with calls for clearer indications of industries and skills targeted, and a stronger focus on sustained educational advancements.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also noted that the intervention was part of the commitment of the President Tinubu administration’s broader strategic shift being led by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. She stressed that her Ministry is scaling up impactful, high-priority initiatives that are changing the narrative of Nigerian women and girls.
As President Tinubu’s administration progresses, gender experts have argued that the success of its women’s development agenda will hinge on several factors: Actualising the 35% Affirmative Action – concrete steps are needed to significantly increase women’s representation in all tiers of government and decision-making bodies; strengthening economic empowerment – moving beyond small grants to foster sustainable enterprises through robust access to credit, mentorship, and market linkages; addressing social and cultural barriers — continuous efforts to combat gender-based violence, promote bodily autonomy, and tackle harmful traditional practices.
Others include: Investing in education and digital literacy – bridging the educational and digital divide to unlock women’s full potential in the evolving economy; ensuring accountability and transparency -implementing robust tracking mechanisms for policies and budgets related to women’s development to ensure measurable impact.
Foundation for devt
Two years into his tenure, President Tinubu’s administration has laid a foundation for women’s development through various programs and policy pronouncements. The next phase, experts said, will require an unwavering commitment to implementation, a more aggressive push for equitable representation, and a sustained focus on dismantling the systemic barriers that continue to impede the full actualization of Nigerian women’s potential.
“The Renewed Hope for women I believe would translate into tangible, transformative change across all facets of their lives,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.