The federal government has pledge to empower to 10 million women economically by 2027, ensuring they play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, made this disclosure during a press briefing on Friday, to mark her 100 days in office in Abuja.
She added that this aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, where women are key contributors to national productivity.
“We have already taken decisive steps toward achieving this, with the commencement of implementation of the World Bank supported Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which targets 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, with over 100 million Nigerian women and girls, more children and vulnerable populations looking to us for leadership action, and results, we must drive a transformational agenda that truly empowers, protects, and uplifts those we serve.
“We must move from policies to action, from conversations to measurable impact, and from incremental progress to bold and systemic reforms,” she said.
Ibrahim said through financial literacy, business development, and cooperative structures, “we will be equipping women with the tools they need to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” she said.
The Minister explained that the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme, in collaboration with WEMA Bank, is set to train 500,000 women in key areas, including vocational skills, business entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.
She stated that the first phase of the program is currently underway in Kano state, with 2,500 women being trained at the Ministry of Women Affairs Centre in Dederi and the Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute in Gyadi-Gyadi.
Ibrahim further states that it will strengthen access to finance, the Ministry is working on setting up a National Microfinance framework for Women Entrepreneurs.
“This initiative aims to bridge the financing gap for women, ensuring they have affordable credit, investment opportunities, and gender-responsive financial services to grow their businesses and contribute more effectively to national development,” she stressed.
