The Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has inaugurated the Federal Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project, aimed at expanding economic opportunities and financial inclusion for women across the country.
Speaking during the event in Abuja, the Minister described women’s economic empowerment as the “engine room of peace, development, and human progress,” noting that the scale-up of the Nigeria for Women Program represents a major transformation in the delivery of social protection and empowerment initiatives.
According to her, the project, which builds on the successes of the initial phase implemented between 2018 and 2024, will now extend to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The program integrates financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection under a single national platform to strengthen women’s access to finance, markets, and public services.
She said the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) is expected to reach about four million women nationwide and contribute to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16, which focus on gender equality, peace, and social cohesion.
The Minister highlighted that despite initial delays, the project has commenced successfully in 18 states and was rated satisfactory by the World Bank during its recent Implementation Support Mission.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that the initiative aligns with the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy and the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
She called for stronger collaboration among relevant ministries, including Agriculture, Health, Environment, Water Resources, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Communications and Digital Economy, and other agencies such as SMEDAN, NAFDAC, and EFInA, to ensure the success of the program.
The Minister also acknowledged the need for additional financing to meet the growing demand from states, as the project has now expanded from its initial target of 23 states to 32 and counting.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the newly inaugurated Steering Committee will provide policy guidance, endorse work plans, review project progress, and ensure effective coordination among participating agencies.