Updated Article
By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a bold plan to empower 10 million women economically as part of its vision to build a US$1 trillion economy. The declaration was made during a high-level sideline event at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, themed “Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment: Financing Inclusive Growth for Peace, Development, and Human Rights Lessons from Nigeria for Women Project.”
Women Affairs Minister Speaks
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, outlined the strategy, noting that women’s economic empowerment is central to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Over 460,000 women have already been mobilised into Women Affinity Groups across states, saving a combined N4.9 billion of their own money,” the minister said. “These groups are changing the texture of communities, lowering household vulnerability, and strengthening our democracy from below.”
What the Project Delivers
The initiative provides:
- Access to livelihood grants and microloans.
- Integration with formal banking systems and financial literacy training.
- Registration for national identity and health insurance.
- Expanded coverage of Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions to all local governments.
So far, over 330,000 women have accessed grants and credit facilities, with thousands linked to financial institutions for the first time.
Broader Impact
The scheme is not only aimed at poverty reduction but also at driving Nigeria’s path toward economic diversification. According to government officials, scaling women’s empowerment nationwide is expected to boost productivity, expand household incomes, and increase female participation in governance.
Governors and stakeholders at the event pledged to support the programme, calling it “both a moral duty and an economic necessity.”
Global Development Ties
Development partners praised the programme for aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.
“The Nigeria for Women Project demonstrates what scalable, community-driven empowerment can look like,” one UN Women representative noted.
Looking Forward
The initiative is expected to expand into all 774 local government areas within the next three years, making it one of Africa’s largest women-centered economic projects.
Observers believe the programme could also improve Nigeria’s global reputation on development indices, presenting the country as a case study in social inclusion.
