The Federal Government has inaugurated a Steering Committee to scale up women’s empowerment project in 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The inauguration of the Federal Steering Committee (FSC) which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, signals a full-scale national transformation of how social protection and women’s economic empowerment are delivered in Nigeria.
The Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU), is a women’s economic empowerment agenda and engine room of peace, development and human progress.
In a keynote address, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, described the project as the most significant platform for women’s economic empowerment.
“Women’s economic empowerment is not an Any Other Business (AOB) agenda but the engine room of peace, development, and human progress,” she stated.
The NFWP-SU represents a strategic evolution from its successful parent project (2018-2024), and now expanding to all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, integrating a systemic model that replaces fragmented interventions.
Accordingly, the project will consolidate financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection under one national delivery platform, transforming Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) into permanent economic institutions.
The Minister explained that, the scale-up brings financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection together under one national delivery platform, turning Women Affinity Groups into permanent economic institutions with stronger ties to formal finance, markets, and public services.
“It is a resilient economic base model that builds a national network of micro-entrepreneurs, savers, and borrowers who form the bedrock of a stable economy.” She stated.
Despite starting about 18 months behind schedule, the project has been successfully launched in 18 states and was recently rated satisfactory by an implementation Support Mission.
The Honourable Minister however, indicated interest for additional financing for the project, as its overwhelming successes has created a new challenge, saying that “the programme was originally designed for a maximum of 23 states, and now its resources are being stretched to cover 32 states.”
The Steering Committee is a multi-sectoral body, drawing expertise from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure a unified effort.
The critical role of the steering committee outlined by the Minister include; setting overall policy guidelines, endorse annual work plans and budgets, monitor progress, and facilitate coordination among all implementing agencies.
“Let us remember: when we empower a woman, we empower a household, and when we empower millions of women, we recalibrate an entire economy. For us in Nigeria, we are demonstrating that women’s economic empowerment is not charity; it is nation-building, peace-building, and climate action rolled into one.” the Minister concluded.
Key partner ministries, including Agriculture, Environment, Health, Water Resources and Sanitation, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and Communications and Digital Economy.
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“Your ministries provide the essential expertise we cannot do without. We will rely on you for strategic oversight and to ensure our efforts are perfectly synchronized,” the Minister urged.
The Country Director, World Bank, represented by Senior Social Welfare Development Specialist, Mr. Michael Ilesami, explained the project’s holistic design, saying, “Any program aimed at women’s empowerment requires a multi-dimensional, multi-sectoral and holistic approach. This is what informed the design and implementation of the Nigeria for Women program Scale Up Project.”
He explained the core objectives of the project through WAGs that helps women access credit, savings, and insurance services… improve their social status… promote social capital… reduce poverty… and engage in advocacy and collective action.
He further noted that the project proven success in Nigeria, which he said has become a global flagship, influencing similar programs in Tanzania, South Sudan, Liberia, Uganda, and Afghanistan.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, described the event as a “milestone in our collective resolve,” noting that the responsibility of the committee is “not only technical but moral, because the hopes of millions of Nigerian women are tied to the work we embark on together.”
She expressed profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister for her unwavering support, and to all partners and stakeholders for their commitment.
The committee has been presented with an 8-month action plan for its immediate endorsement, marking the official start of the national scale-up.
In attendance were Rep. of the Hon. Minister, of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Rep. Of the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Rep. of the Hon. Minister of Water Resources, Rep. of the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Others include Directors from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, officials from Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Development Partners.
Signed
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau mnipr
Head, Press and Relations
