On this sacred and reflective occasion of Mothering Sunday, I, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, extend my warmest greetings to all Nigerian women, the enduring pillars of our homes, the steady hands behind our economy, and the quiet strength sustaining our nation through every season.
Today, we celebrate not only motherhood, but the extraordinary breadth of contributions Nigerian women have made; across generations, regions, and cultures to keep the fabric of our society woven together in unity, resilience, and hope.
From the farms of the Middle Belt to the markets of the South-West, from the fisheries of the Niger Delta to the textile hubs of the North, Nigerian women have, from time immemorial, been industrious drivers of economic life. They are farmers cultivating food security, traders powering local commerce, artisans preserving culture through crafts, teachers shaping minds, and professionals advancing innovation and governance.
In every state of our federation, women have mastered diverse trades; processing agricultural produce, weaving, pottery, tailoring, food production, care-giving, and entrepreneurship, often under conditions of limited access to resources, infrastructure, and opportunity. Yet, despite these constraints, they have continued to rise; sustaining families, building communities, and anchoring our local economies with remarkable courage and determination.
Even more profoundly, Nigerian women have played a quiet but decisive role in nurturing and sustaining our democracy. Through their participation in civic life, community leadership, and grassroots mobilization, they have upheld values of accountability, peace, and social cohesion, often without recognition, but never without impact. This is the resilience we honour today. This is the courage we celebrate.
In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we are committed to transforming this resilience into structured opportunity. Through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-) 774, we are taking empowerment directly to the grassroots; ensuring that women across all 774 Local Government Areas are equipped with the tools, skills, financial inclusion, and social protection needed to thrive in dignity and prosperity.
This intervention recognizes what has always been true: that when you empower a woman, you empower a family; and when families are strengthened, nations rise.
As we advance into the Year 2026; declared by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as the Year of Families and Social Development, we are placing deliberate emphasis on restoring the centrality of the family as the bedrock of national development. This declaration is both a call to action and a national vision; to elevate family values, strengthen social systems, and promote a Nigeria that is compassionate, inclusive, and globally respected.
At the heart of this vision is the Nigerian woman; whose sacrifices, industry, and unwavering spirit continue to define the soul of our nation.
To every Nigerian woman; across every region, every profession, and every walk of life; you are seen, you are valued, and you are celebrated.
May this Mothering Sunday renew your strength, deepen your joy, and remind you that your contributions are not only shaping homes, but building the future of our great nation.
Happy Mothering Sunday.
Signed,
Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi,
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development
