The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has reiterated the critical role of women in nation-building, emphasizing the importance of empowering women and girls through education and leadership. She made this call during a courtesy visit by the office of the Deputy nation Women Leader (APC) to her office in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Ahmad highlighted the remarkable contributions of women to Nigeria’s democratic processes, stating, “Women are the highest voters in our elections, making their participation in governance indispensable. Our initiatives must focus on equipping women with the tools to lead and inspire in decision-making spaces.”
Dr. Ahmad shared her passion for empowering women and girls, which spans decades of academic and advocacy work. She announced plans to launch a comprehensive program aimed at empowering one million girls through education, vocational training, and leadership development. The phased initiative will target girls aged 6 to 15, fostering skills and opportunities to drive community and national development. She stressed that vocational education, often overlooked, would be given prominence to ensure it is recognized as a viable career path with economic value.
Earlier, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim commended the Honourable Minister’s commitment to women’s empowerment, describing her appointment as a testament to the government’s dedication to advancing gender inclusion. She noted, “Addressing girl-child education is critical. An educated mother ensures the education of her children, making it the cornerstone for sustainable development.”
Hajia Zainab also advocated for strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Education and grassroots organizations to champion girl-child education and women’s economic empowerment. She highlighted initiatives like the “Catch Them Young Political Club,” designed to engage young women in politics, thereby bridging the gap between women and leadership.
Both leaders underscored the need for practical solutions and strategic partnerships to uplift women, address educational challenges, and promote equitable access to opportunities across all sectors.
The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to work collaboratively in advancing initiatives that empower women and girls, fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for Nigeria.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press & Public Relations
