President Bola Tinubu has significantly broadened the scope of the Nigeria for Women Programme, aiming to extend its reach to 25 million women nationwide and underscore his administration's dedication to their economic integration and the country's overall development.
The programme, which commenced with a pilot phase in six states, successfully engaged over one million women. The expanded initiative introduces the 'Happy Woman App Platform,' a secure digital gateway designed to provide women with access to finance, skills training, market opportunities, essential services, and governmental support.
Speaking at the Presidential Launch of the Programme Scale-Up in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized that Nigeria cannot achieve sustained growth without placing women at the core of its development strategies. He stated, “A nation that relegates its women is a nation bound for implosion. We have long understood this truth. That is why this administration has not only placed women at the forefront of decision-making but has also entrusted them with leadership in causes that redeem our national promise.
Today stands as proof of that commitment, and I am proud to be part of this journey.”
President Tinubu highlighted that women are not only key contributors to Nigeria's development narrative but are also fundamental to family stability, community resilience, and national productivity.
“We have set a bold but achievable national ambition: to reach 25 million Nigerian women through this programme,” he announced, urging the World Bank to enhance its financing, technical assistance, and collaborative innovation for this nationwide expansion.
He further stressed, “Digital inclusion is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective service delivery and national competitiveness.”
Tinubu declared 2026 as the “Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria,” calling for coordinated governmental efforts across all tiers to support this agenda. This declaration follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed during his official visit to Turkey, aimed at strengthening family structures and social welfare systems.
The President commended the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development for its technological integration in policy execution and for reorganizing social development efforts into a more cohesive framework since the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention in Lafia last year, noting that this transformation exemplifies the impact of purposeful leadership.
He also applauded state governors and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for aligning national objectives with state-level implementation, stating, “national transformation succeeds when all levels of government move with shared purpose”.
Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, described the launch as a pivotal moment reflecting the Tinubu administration's recognition of women not just as recipients of development aid, but as crucial drivers of economic progress, social harmony, and democratic stability in Nigeria. She characterized the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up as one of the most extensive and ambitious empowerment initiatives in the nation's history.
Ibrahim reported that the initial phase of the project successfully addressed harmful social norms and reinforced women’s socio-economic resilience, providing strong evidence of the impact of women's empowerment.
She also announced the launch of Nigeria's Third National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, placing Nigeria among a limited number of countries to achieve this milestone.
Mr. Robert Chase, World Bank Regional Representative for Africa, explained that the project was developed by the bank’s Social Policy Department with the objective of prioritizing women in development, emphasizing that investing in women yields the most significant returns for any nation.
Mr. Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, stated that empowering women directly contributes to healthier families and more secure communities, noting that it leads to a reduction in disease and insecurity at the household level.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, affirmed his ministry's commitment to collaborating on initiatives designed to empower women nationwide.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Senate President, highlighted that the expansion of the Nigeria for Women Project demonstrates the federal government's dedication to women's needs and assured that the National Assembly would continue to support legislation aimed at increasing women's access to governance and economic resources.
Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Jobe, reiterated the commitment of state governments to provide counterpart funding for the successful execution of women-focused projects. He disclosed that Katsina State has allocated N4 billion in its current budget to support the initiative.
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