The Federal Government has launched a nationwide economic empowerment initiative aimed at reaching no fewer than 10 million women, as part of its plan to achieve a $1 trillion economy.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, disclosed at a high-level side event of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Themed “Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment: Financing Inclusive Growth for Peace, Development, and Human Rights Lessons from Nigeria for Women Project,” the event focused on advancing women’s participation in economic growth.
Nigeria for Women Project Expands Nationwide
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the Nigeria for Women Project as a central platform driving the initiative under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She explained that in the project’s first phase, more than 460,000 women were mobilised into Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across several states. Collectively, the groups saved about ₦4.9 billion, which was circulated through inter-loans to support business expansion, healthcare, and education.
Over 330,000 women have also received livelihood grants, while thousands have gained access to financial services, national identity registration, and health insurance.
“While the model draws from global best practices, it has been fully adapted to Nigeria’s realities. The Women Affinity Groups have become platforms of voice, social capital, and economic agency. They are reducing household vulnerability and strengthening communities,” the Minister said.
Following a successful pilot in six states, the programme has now been scaled nationwide.
Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions
The Minister also unveiled the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions – 774 (RH-SII774), describing it as a unified system to deliver gender-responsive development.
According to her, the initiative is designed to directly impact more than 50 million women, children, families, and vulnerable groups across all 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
“It tackles systemic challenges such as gender inequality, digital exclusion, family instability, and economic disempowerment,” she said.
Governors and Stakeholders Pledge Support
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara State, represented by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, described women’s empowerment as both a moral obligation and an economic necessity.
He noted that the Nigeria for Women Programme—a collaboration between the Federal Government, State Ministries, the World Bank, and development partners—has expanded from its pilot in six states to 15 active states, with commitments from 32 states overall.
“To date, more than 46,000 women have organised into 22,000 Women Affinity Groups, saving over ₦4.4 billion, which has been reinvested into small businesses that are strengthening families and communities,” he said.
Other dignitaries present included:
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Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory,
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Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State,
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Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State,
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Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development,
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Hajiya Huriyya Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State,
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Samson Itegboje, Charge d’Affaires at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN,
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Professor Kabir Mato.
Broader Impact
Stakeholders at the UNGA event emphasised that investing in women’s economic empowerment not only drives income growth but also improves education, nutrition, and social stability.
The Federal Government said it is consolidating its empowerment framework into a single national delivery system that integrates agriculture, clean energy, logistics, digital access, and mobile services, with women at the centre of the agenda.
