Prez Tinubu Launches Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up

• President Bola Tinubu launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale Up (NFWP-SU)
• The initiative seeks to promote the growth of the Nigerian economy through the focus on women, families, and social development

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, restating the Federal Government’s commitment to making women, families, and social development a priority in the progress of the nation.

This $540 million initiative, which is co-financed by the World Bank, the Federal, and State Governments, targets to reach five million women across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a grand plan to cover 25 million people.

In the Presidential launch event held in Abuja, the President, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, declared the Year of Families and Social Development for 2026 , stating, “It is not just a social program, it is a strategic investment in our economic infrastructure.”

In his speech, the President noted that inclusion has become a permanent aspect of governance, saying that the country would not grow if half of the population, particularly women, was held back. He noted that women are a key aspect in national development and productivity.

According to the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Iman Ibrahim-Sulaiman, the following was emphasized: "The initiative proves the government’s dedication to embedding women at the core of the national development process."

Further, the Minister stated: "Under this initiative, women are not only ‘beneficiaries’ on the margins of the national development process, but primarily the leaders in the core process aimed at driving economic, social, and democratic stability in Nigeria."

 Moreover, the success of Phase One was marked by the establishment of 26,577 Women Affinity Groups, with over 560,000 members saving an accumulative sum of 4.9 billion Nigerian Naira. In Phase II, the initiative will particularly focus on job creation, economic, and democratic dividends.

The Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, was quite supportive of the program, focusing on the contribution made by women in the agricultural sector.

He cited cases of the effects of the program on women, particularly in the agricultural sector through projects such as the establishment of rice milling factories and cassava processing factories benefiting over 22,000 women.

He added that the programs are also in line with the President's eight-point agenda as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda.

On behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Faruk Lawal Jobe, once again expressed that "this Programme demonstrates our national resolve to put women at the heart of economic and social rebirth in Nigeria, not least given the significant counterpart funding provided."

All individuals were of the view that empowering women is not a philanthropic activity but a calculated move which yields economic benefits and is vital to the national development of Nigeria.

The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including state ministers, governors, lawmakers, civil society organizations, women groups, and development partners.