100 days in office: Sulaiman-Ibrahim vows to empower 100M women, children

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at a special press briefing marking her first 100 days in office on Friday, highlighted key achievements, strategic priorities, and a resolute commitment to the empowerment, protection, and inclusion of women, children, and vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasised the need for a paradigm shift, moving beyond “business as usual” to a transformational agenda with measurable impact and systemic reforms. “With over 100 million Nigerian women and girls, and millions 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,” she stated.

She listed strategic priorities and key initiatives the ministry under her watch intends to focus on beginning with economic empowerment, stating that the Ministry aims to economically empower 10 million women by 2027, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy. This will be supported by the World Bank-backed “Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project,” targeting 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT with financial literacy, business development, and cooperative structures.

The MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme, in collaboration with WEMA Bank, she disclosed is set to train 500,000 women in vocational skills, business entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. Additionally, Sulieman-Ibrahim said the ministry is working on a National Microfinance framework for Women Entrepreneurs to bridge the financing gap.

The minister said in order to protect the Nigerian children, she established a Child Rights Act Review Committee to harmonise and modernise Nigeria’s child protection laws, addressing issues such as child marriage, trafficking, abuse, and violence.

She said a nationwide stakeholder consultations have commenced for a National Child Protection Framework, and the ministry is exploring the establishment of a dedicated institution for Child Protection and Development.

On efforts to end Gender-Based Violence, the minister said she reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending violence against women and children at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia. On the nation’s behalf, she pledged to provide comprehensive support services to two million children at risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation by 2030 and to deliver evidence-based parenting programmes to 10 million families by 2030.

Suliaman-Ibrahim added that Nigeria will make a unified appearance at CSW69 in New York, leading global conversations on gender equality and women’s empowerment. She added that the nation will also participate in COP29 in Azerbaijan, advocating for gender-responsive climate action.

The ministry, she added has strengthened engagement with state governments and convened the High-Level Presidential Advisory Council on Women and Girls (HLAC) to drive and coordinate gender-focused programmes.

In commemoration of Universal Children’s Day 2024, Minister Suleiman-Ibrahim highlighted the government’s achievements in promoting the welfare of children. Her proactive intervention in the detention of 52 children accused of treason during the “End Bad Governance” protest demonstrated her dedication to protecting the rights of minors.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim concluded her address by emphasising that gender equality is the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. She called for stronger partnerships, faster implementation, and a unified approach to gender and social development. “The time for incremental progress is over. The time for bold action is now,” she declared.