Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the Labour African Network (LAN) convened a high level gathering in London on Tuesday 17th March to spotlight SheThrives — the new partnership between the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women towards accelerating progress on women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.
Held alongside the State Visit of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the event brought together influential leaders from government, business, philanthropists and civil society to strengthen the environment for women led enterprises. The event was made possible with the generous support of partners -The Osahon Okunbo Foundation and sponsors Loyz Marine Services Ltd.
The session underscored the leadership of Honourable Minister Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim in positioning women’s entrepreneurship as a national economic priority. It also spotlighted SheThrives — the newly formalised partnership between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women — as a bold, coordinated initiative to scale up support for women led enterprises across Nigeria.
Anchored on the Ministry’s ambition to empower 10 million women over three years, SheThrives advances President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and contributes to building a $1 trillion economy. By combining the Foundation’s proven programmes and expertise with the Ministry’s policy leadership and nationwide reach, the initiative aims to strengthen MSMEs and position women as key drivers of inclusive growth and wealth creation.
The programme featured opening remarks from The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, as well as a fireside conversation between Cherie Blair CBE KC and Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, who discussed their shared vision for creating a more inclusive and gender equal business environment for women entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
The event was compared by Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL, the founder of the Wintrade Global Women Intra & Entrepreneurship Network and organiser of the FLAIR Summit, which brings together the most influential African women leaders. The fireside chat was led by Dr. Anino Emuwa, the founder of 100 Women @ Davos and the Africa Women CEOs Network. The event was held at the Raffles London at The OWO hotel.
Honourable Ministe of Women Affairs Nigeria, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said:
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the historic declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, we are deliberately positioning women at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation. SheThrives is a key vehicle for delivering that vision, connecting women to skills, markets, finance, and opportunities.”
UK’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:
“The She Thrives partnership will make a tangible difference in support for female entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
“Growth is the core mission of the UK government and it underpins our relationship with Nigeria. I am deeply proud that the cultural and commercial bonds between our nations are thriving and that both our businesses and people are feeling the benefits of that.”
Cherie Blair CBE KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, said:
“Women make up more than half of Nigeria’s population, yet too many still face barriers to starting and growing businesses. When women entrepreneurs succeed, they don’t just transform their own lives — they drive economic growth, strengthen communities and create opportunities for others. We are proud to be working with the Ministry and our partners to help unlock that potential.”
Denise Scott-McDonald of Labour African Network, said:
” At the Labour African Network, we believe women’s economic empowerment is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic strategy. Through partnerships like SheThrives, we are moving from aspiration to action: unlocking access to finance, skills, markets and networks so that women are not just invited to the table, but have a seat, a voice, and a stake in Africa’s future prosperity. “
Osahon Okunbo of The Osahon Okunbo Foundation pledged the Foundation’s commitment to become a strategic partner for the SheThrives initiative. He said:
“Across film, music, fashion and art, Nigerian creativity continues to shape global culture. As the SheThrives initiative expands its work, strengthening the conditions for women building businesses within the creative economy will be essential to the long-term future of the sector. This strategic partnership with The Osahon Okunbo Foundation reflects a shared commitment to supporting that growth.”
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations FMWASD
