The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called on Nigerian women to strengthen their economic power, noting that economic independence is critical to protecting women from abuse, enhancing their confidence and increasing their influence in national affairs.
The Minister made the call when a delegation of the Business Women of Influence for Renewed Hope Agenda, led by its Director-General, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole, paid her a courtesy visit at her office in Abuja.
Representing the Director-General, the organisation’s National Director of Media and Communications, Ms. Evelyn Onyilo, commended the Minister for her energy, commitment and renewed drive towards the empowerment and mobilisation of Nigerian women.
The Minister said the Nigerian woman was “phenomenal,” stressing that her commitment to the Ministry was driven by the enormous responsibility of advancing the interests of women, children, families and vulnerable persons across the country.
“Nigerian woman is not just any kind of woman. Nigerian woman is phenomenal. It is the President’s responsibility, you know, for the endorsement of the President. He entrusted me with this responsibility, and I will never forget that. And that’s why I’ll continue to work day and night to make sure that we push the needs of our women,” she said.
She urged women’s groups and stakeholders to continue supporting the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development irrespective of who occupies the office, describing the Ministry as one of the most important platforms for advancing the interests and wellbeing of Nigerian women.
According to her, the Ministry’s mandate extends beyond women to include children, families and vulnerable groups, making it imperative for all stakeholders to strengthen the institution for greater national impact.
The Minister placed strong emphasis on economic empowerment, arguing that women’s economic strength is closely connected to their ability to resist emotional, psychological and physical abuse.
Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that financially empowered women are more confident and better positioned to make independent decisions, adding that economic independence gives women the capacity to confront social and family challenges from a position of strength.
She therefore encouraged women to embrace collective savings, investment and business development, noting that women could transform their economic and political influence by pooling their resources and working together.
Speaking on the 10 Million Women Movement, the Minister said the initiative was designed to mobilise women across political parties, geographical locations and generations to build a formidable platform capable of influencing national development.
“The 10 million march is across party lines, across the geographical divide, across generations. It doesn’t matter what age you are,” she said.
She explained that the initiative seeks to organise women at ward level into groups that can save together, support one another economically and collectively participate in decisions affecting their communities and the nation.
The Minister called on the organisation to deliberately bring more young women into the movement, particularly young professionals and women who have been forced to abandon their professions for economic reasons.
She stressed the importance of accurate mobilisation and organisation, urging women to understand their numbers, locations and communities in order to build an effective and sustainable movement.
The Minister also challenged Nigerian women to become more deliberate about political participation, warning that women must no longer allow their votes to be taken for granted.
“Women will not waste our votes. Everybody has become wise. You saw what’s happening in the country. Everybody is becoming a true politician. So women, we cannot be politicians for nothing. We can’t be business women for nothing. We back each other up to make sure that our votes count,” she said.
She expressed optimism that Nigerian women, working together, could become a decisive force in the country’s political and economic transformation.
Earlier, Ms. Evelyn Onyilo, who represented the Director-General of Business Women of Influence for Renewed Hope Agenda, congratulated the Minister and commended her for what she described as the positive energy and renewed momentum she had brought to the Ministry.
“If you don’t know that this Minister has energy, then you have a problem. The positive vibes she has brought into this Ministry is reverberating everywhere,” Onyilo said.
She noted that the organisation had adopted the Minister as its Grand Patron, thanking her for accepting the responsibility and for consistently demonstrating commitment to women’s advancement.
According to Onyilo, the Minister’s mobilisation of women through the 10 Million Women Movement had created a strong sense of inclusion and recognition among Nigerian women.
“It was not just a gathering. It was a feeling that you have created a movement for the women of Nigeria. That, yes, you are there. We see you. We recognise you. And that you have a role to play in government and national government,” she stated.
She particularly appreciated the Minister for her support to women during her official engagements in Taraba State and Rivers State, noting that her presence and interventions had made significant impressions on women in those communities.
Onyilo also acknowledged the Minister’s intervention through a ₦1 million grant to women in Taraba, describing the gesture as a seed that would have a multiplier effect in the lives of the beneficiaries and their families.
She disclosed that the beneficiaries had subsequently held a formal event to receive the funds and had resolved to use the intervention to support more women through a revolving arrangement.
“You have sown a seed in the lives of women. We know how it will grow rapidly, because women are always carriers of family members to our responsibility,” she said.
The organisation further expressed appreciation to the Minister for recognising and engaging Business Women of Influence in her programmes and initiatives, including the GEE E-Mobility initiative, assuring the Ministry of its readiness to collaborate in every area that would advance women’s economic empowerment.
Onyilo said the organisation was committed to working with the Ministry as partners in delivering sustainable empowerment opportunities for women across Nigeria.
The courtesy visit also featured the presentation of the Distinguished Women’s National Impact Award to the Honourable Minister in recognition of her contributions to women’s empowerment and national development.
Receiving the award, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the organisation, saying she would cherish the honour for life.
She reaffirmed her commitment to working with Nigerian women and strengthening partnerships that would promote their economic, social and political advancement.
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau Mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations Dept.
