Nigeria’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive national development took centre stage at the grand finale of the “Give to Gain” Summit, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja with strong calls for action, policy reform, and sustained investment in women across all sectors.
Representing the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, the Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, led deliberations with a strong message of solidarity and urgency, emphasizing the need to translate advocacy into measurable progress for women and girls.
In a keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, described the summit as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward gender inclusion and national prosperity.
“We do not just convene; we converge—as voices, as visionaries, and as vessels of transformation,” the Minister declared.
She emphasized that the advocacy for women must extend beyond symbolic observance.
“Advocacy for women is not an event; it is a movement. Not a moment, but a mandate—of Renewed Hope, Renewed Promise, and Renewed Prosperity,” she said.
Highlighting the economic imperatives of women’s inclusion, the Minister stated that Nigeria’s ambition of achieving a one trillion-dollar economy is directly linked to empowering women.
” Closing the gender gap is not charity; it is strategy,” she affirmed.
She revealed that over 80 percent of women-owned businesses in Nigeria operate within the informal sector without access to formal credit, stressing the urgent need for systemic support.
Central to addressing this gap, she unveiled the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII 774), a comprehensive initiative designed to deliver economic empowerment, skills acquisition, agricultural support, clean energy solutions, and social protection to women in all 774 Local Government Areas.
“When you give to a woman, you do not give to one; you give to many. When you give women opportunities, you gain prosperity; when you give them systems and security, you gain peace,” she noted.
The Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, describing it as a strategic move to strengthen the nation from its foundation.
“The Year of Families is, in truth, ‘Woman O’Clock’—a time to value her labour, dignify her role, and institutionalize her contributions,” she said.
She further announced the upcoming 10 Million Women Mega Empowerment and Rally, scheduled for May 5, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
“This is not just a gathering; it is a declaration—One Voice, One Movement, One Choice,” she stated.
Reinforcing the broader impact of inclusive policies, the Minister pointed to key frameworks such as the National Gender Policy, the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, and the Affirmative Procurement Policy, all aimed at ensuring women’s access to opportunities and protection from violence.
“When the State deliberately gives women fair opportunity, the nation gains in productivity, competitiveness, and inclusive growth,” she added.
As the summit drew to a close, the Honourable Minister issued a powerful call to action:
“This is not a conclusion; it is a commissioning. Today, we move from celebration to acceleration. When women rise together, nations do not merely develop—they transform.”
Delivering goodwill remarks on behalf of UN Women, Acting Deputy Representative Patience Ekeoba stressed that inclusive leadership is essential for national development, noting that women remain significantly under represented in political leadership despite their contributions across sectors.
She called for deliberate reforms to increase women’s political participation, reduce structural barriers, and strengthen leadership pipelines for women and girls.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, emphasized the need to move beyond rhetoric to real action.
“Meaningful progress requires deliberate investment in women through access to education, opportunities, resources, and support systems. When women thrive, societies flourish,” she said.
The summit reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to advancing gender equality through policies such as the National Gender Policy (2021–2026), the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy (2023), and legal frameworks including the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Asanye Nko Esuabana, opened the “Give to Gain” Summit by calling for a shift from symbolic rhetoric to deliberate, actionable investment in women’s education, resources, and economic opportunities.
She welcomed top government officials, development partners, and stakeholders to the grand finale of the 2026 International Women’s Month, Esuabana stressed that while institutional support and policy reform are vital, true progress must also be driven by individual agency and identity.
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau Mnipr
Head, Information, Press and Public Relations FMWASD
