Tag: Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has launched Olowu Hope Initiative Women Empowerment Fund to transform Owu and serve as a model for community development in Nigeria.

The initiative, founded by Oba Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu, builds on a successful pilot scheme and is targeted at more than 50,000 women in its first decade, as part of a plan to impact one million lives through four interconnected pillars of empowerment.

At the launch, the minister lauded the oba for what she the ‘‘deep and practical commitment to grassroots development. She said Federal Government would support the programme.

 “It is the kind of grassroots empowerment that transforms societies. We will ensure this touches every woman in Owu and beyond,” she said.

For Oba Matemilola, the vision is one of legacy and transformation. He noted that the initiative was designed to move beyond charity by providing women not only with rights but also resources and respect to shape their future.

 “The initiative is not merely a programme; it is a legacy-defining movement. True empowerment does not just entail giving women rights but also resources to shape destinies. A world that empowers women is a world that moves forward, more just, more prosperous, and more humane,” he said.

The governance structure of the initiative is designed to ensure transparency and sustainability. The Board of Trustees is led by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Balogun of Owu, as grand patron. Other include Oba Matemilola, Dr. Mutiu Sunmonu, Aare Tony Attah and Aare Chike Nwosu. The Advisory Board, chaired by Dr Sunmonu, has top professionals in energy, business, education and others, tasked with translating the vision into, long-term impact.

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Sunmonu said the board’s role was to ensure that each pillar thrives sustainably. “This is about legacies, not short-term solutions,” he said. The four pillars cover microcredit and economic empowerment, vocational training, education, and health, supported by trustees and teams working under the board’s direction.

Central to the launch is the Women Empowerment Fund, described as the “engine room” of the initiative. Chaired by Dr Akintoye Akindele, with members including Stephenie Coker Rank and Olori Adijat Bamidele Matemilola, the fund will provide interest-free loans, business support, and capacity building in partnership with World Citizen. Its goal is to empower 50,000 women within the next five to ten years.

The Chairperson said the fund is about more than providing capital. “Our mission is to empower women with the means to grow their businesses and inspire others. This fund is an investment in Nigeria’s most untapped resource, our women. The ripple effects on our economy and society will be monumental,” Akindele said.

The founder of the initiative emphasised that the pilot phase demonstrated the model’s success, and with stronger governance and partnerships now in place, the programme is poised for wider impact. The fund will operate on a two-tiered model, combining financial capital and support capital such as pro-bono services and donated goods to maximise reach and sustainability.

The ripple effect of empowering 50,000 women, according to the initiative, will extend far beyond business. It is expected to stimulate local economies, create markets, improve family nutrition, expand access to healthcare, and enhance educational opportunities for children, ultimately breaking cycles of poverty and fostering generational change.

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said the Tinubu Administration has taken concrete steps to integrate family-focused approaches into national policy.

She said the efforts are also centred on strengthening caregiving systems and protecting vulnerable populations.

The minister spoke at the ongoing ministerial session of the International Family Forum (IFF) with 26 ministerial participants.

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja by her Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, the minister noted that Nigeria has placed families at the forefront of her national development through the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, which is unprecedented.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim acknowledged the challenges faced by families in navigating a rapidly evolving world.
These, she noted, include urbanisation, digital exposure, economic pressures, migration, population boom, unprecedented and prolonged humanitarian crisis, health pandemics and shifts in societal values redefining the dynamics of family sanctity.

She expressed that the reality compelled the Nigerian government to collectively invest in family-oriented policies that are both protective and transformative in nature.

The minister said: “It is indeed a rare privilege to address this distinguished gathering as we celebrate the 2025 United Nations International Day of Families, under the main theme, ‘Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development’.

“This theme reflects the collective efforts of governments in advancing global dialogue through family-oriented policies that advance sustainable development.

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”Nigeria has taken the following proactive measures to strengthen family cohesion initiatives:
“The National Framework for Family Cohesion developed to address global challenges faced by families, serving as a model for integrating family-centered policies with interventions, the National Family Strengthening and Development Programme (NFSP) a community-driven initiative that aims to address the root causes of poverty, domestic violence, and social disruptions within families, the Committee for Family Cohesion has been established to strengthen the National framework for family cohesion
the Nigerian for Women Programme aims to strengthen women’s protection across the country, while enhancing their roles in families and communities to promote societal development.”

To the applause of the delegates, Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced the introduction of the National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children, aimed at ensuring that vulnerable children receive appropriate care.

According to her, the guidelines also complement the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children, recently launched by Nigeria.

“Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I invite you to reflect not only on the challenges but also the opportunities it presents to co-create actionable solutions that empower and safeguard families in this interconnected world.

“Globalisation should not erode family values but serve as a bridge to promote inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable models that reinforce cultural dignity.”

She affirmed that Nigeria is ready to partner with all nations represented at the event to develop an international framework for promoting family resilience.

“We proudly support the adoption of a Joint Declaration on family, on safeguarding and strengthening families.

“We also endorse presenting this shared vision to multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, in a unified global call for family-centred governance.

“May I reiterate that Nigeria invites all multilateral institutions to increase investments in family policies, establish funding mechanisms for family-centred social protection, and integrate family well-being into the sustainable development agenda.

“This singular effort will help strengthen our collective goal.”

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, yesterday, said the Federal Government is working to give every woman in Nigeria a voice.

Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant (Technical), Women Affairs and Community Engagement, Princess Joan Jumai Donije, disclosed this while answering questions from journalists during the Inspiring Women Summit held in Abuja with the theme: “Making bold moves and creating boundless impact” organised by the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI).

Earlier in her welcome address, the founder of WODDI and former First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Nneoma Rochas Okorocha, urged women to be courageous in their pursuits in life to be able to make lasting impact.

She said: “When you underestimate yourself, you create 10,000 ways  to fail. But the moment you start believing in yourself, you will discover that even when doors close, it is often a redirection, not a rejection and your belief opens windows of possibilities.”

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Speaking to reporters in an interview, the representative of the Minister, Princess Donije, urged women not to settle for less but be part of the change agents in society.

Donije said: “So what the women are asking is not equality in terms of sexes. They’re talking about equality  in terms of  appointments and  in terms of the good things that are in the society.

“And at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of  the present administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we can see that the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, is not resting on her oars.

“She’s redefining the space  to ensure that every woman in this country has a voice and that is why she’s taking a bold step in ensuring that the programmes that she’s  curating at this time truly reflect the zeal and the desires of the average Nigerian woman.

“She’s not talking about tokenism. She’s not talking about being equal in terms of whether you’re a man or you’re a woman, but she’s talking about being equal in terms of representation.

“You can see that at this time we have just barely five per cent of women in the  National Parliament, but it has not dimmed  the efforts of women.

“We have seen women who have done very well  in the public sphere. If you look at the Heads of Service that we’ve had in the past, they’ve always been women and they’ve taken their bold step and have really redefined their space.”

Among dignitaries that graced the event included the wife of a former Governor of Rivers State, Mrs Judith Amaechi. former First Lady of Sokoto State, Dr. Mariya Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Ednah Azura and the Director General of the National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir.

The two-day regional meeting of Pathfinder African Countries on the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children began in Abuja on Wednesday with the federal government restating its commitment to ending violence against children, women and vulnerable groups. 

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted Nigeria’s progress since the Ministerial Conference in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 2024, where the country pledged to eliminate harmful practices in at least 18 states by 2028.  

She said Nigeria is reviewing and enforcing the Child Rights Act of 2003 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to strengthen protection mechanisms.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria is taking real action by reforming legal frameworks, scaling up the Safe Schools Programme, expanding parenting interventions, and increasing budgetary allocations to child protection systems.

The minister explained that the country is integrating child protection into key national priorities such as climate resilience, education, digital safety, and social protection.

According to the minister, Nigeria is reviewing its national child policy framework and implementing the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan to End Child Marriage to ensure more inclusive, accountable, and data-driven action.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the Pathfinder Initiative and partners, especially UNICEF, for their steadfast support. 

She acknowledged the efforts of governments and stakeholders across the represented countries for their commitment to child protection.

The minister urged participants to go beyond policy declarations to deliver measurable, time-bound results, stressing the need to adequately resource child protection systems.

“No child, anywhere on this continent, should be invisible to the law or forgotten by policy,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.

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The United Nations urged African leaders to move beyond commitments and ensure concrete actions to protect children from violence and exploitation.

UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, made the call in Abuja at the meeting. 

Dr M’jid highlighted the collective commitment of African nations, underlining that it was not enough to make pledges and urged participants to focus on peer learning, sharing effective strategies, and overcoming common obstacles to ensure child protection efforts are sustainable.

She said the struggle to secure funding, urging governments to treat child protection as an investment, not an added cost.

“We have wonderful plans, but when we arrive at the budget, it becomes a crazy task,” she said, urging countries to view child protection as an investment, not an expense.

The Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children was launched in Bogota in November 2024 to serve as a policy framework to accelerate action through multi-stakeholder collaboration, context-specific priorities, peer-to-peer learning, and national leadership.

As of March 2025, 42 countries, including Nigeria, have joined the Alliance, including 14 African countries.

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has taken her advocacy for the protection of African children, women and vulnerable groups to a global stage in London, United Kingdom.

She sought collective actions backed by strong commitment and disciplined implementation by governments, civil society, international partners, and individuals.

The occasion was the launch of the Community Children’s Fund event with the theme: “Advancing Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040: Protecting Street-Connected Children in West Africa” at SOAS University.

The minister, according to her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, urged all to commit to a future where every African child thrives, and collectively declare that neglect, abuse, and systemic failures have no place in the society.

Painting a picture that underscores how pervasive the situation is on the continent, the minister stated that in Nigeria, for instance, children make up 42 per cent of the total population, yet millions face extreme vulnerabilities.

She said: “Among the three million people displaced in the Northeast BAY states, 59 per cent are children exposed to exploitation, violence, and lack of education.

“Over 10.5 million Nigerian children of primary school age are out of school, with girls accounting for 60 per cent, further perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

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“More than four out of 10 girls are married or in a union before the age of 18, limiting their future opportunities and exposing them to lifelong hardships.”

The minister’s address reads in part: “I stand here today, not just as a politician, a minister, or a public servant. First and foremost, I am a mother.

“Like many of you, I have held my children close and dreamed of the future they could build. I have experienced the joys and challenges of nurturing young minds, of watching them grow into their unique selves, and of doing everything in my power to protect them from harm.”

“I recall a moment that profoundly shaped my outlook. It was when I met a four[1] year-old girl who had survived unimaginable abuse. As I held her trembling hands, I saw fear, yes, but I also saw resilience.

“That moment reinforced for me why our work is urgent and why collective action is not optional but imperative. Every child, like that little girl, has the right to safety, dignity, and the chance to dream without fear.

“It is from this deeply personal space that I approach my role as the Federal Minister Of Women Affairs.

“The stories I hear and the realities I encounter are not statistics or distant headlines to me—they are lived experiences that mirror the fears and hopes of every parent, every caregiver, every community leader who wants the best for their children.

“Today’s event, the launch of the Community Children’s Fund is deeply significant. It provides us with a platform to address not only the vulnerabilities faced by children across Africa but also the immense potential they hold.

“I am here to share both a professional and a deeply personal perspective because protecting our children is more than a policy directive; it is a moral obligation.

“Distinguished guests, my keynote today will not be focused on discussing challenges but on exploring pathways to transform the narrative for Africa’s children.

“The crux of my message today is that collective action backed by strong commitment and disciplined implementation by all of us – governments, civil society, international partners, and individuals – is key to delivering the promises.

“Enshrined in Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040. We must all commit and reignite our determination to build a future where every African child thrives.

“We must collectively declare that neglect, abuse, and systemic failures have no place in our societies.

“Child Labour remains rampant, with millions of children engaged in hazardous work across various sectors, depriving them of a safe and secure childhood. Malnutrition is a major concern, contributing to 32 per cent of deaths among children under five.

“The statistics are not too different for other African countries and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to protect and empower Nigeria’s children.

“As you are already aware, across Africa, the African child is often neglected and forgotten in the shadows of systemic barriers, poverty, and exploitation.

“From the Almajiri in Northern Nigeria to the child hawkers in Southern Nigeria, the Talibé children in Senegal, the Garibou in Mali, down to the park boys in Southern Africa, these vulnerable groups face an alarming lack of access to education, healthcare, and protection, leaving them exposed to cycles of poverty and abuse.

“They are exposed to hazardous living conditions and child labour in rural farms or urban marketplaces, and they continue to bear the brunt of societal inequities.

“These children are robbed of their childhoods, often forced to navigate a world that treats them as invisible, with their rights and potential left unrealised.

This neglect is compounded by the erosion of family cohesion. Economic pressures forced migration, and cultural shifts have strained the familial bonds that once provided safety nets for children.”

Despite these challenges, Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed optimism that there are glimmers of resilience and hope.

“The African child possesses boundless potential, a potential that can only be unlocked if we address these systemic barriers with urgency and innovation.

“Whether it is ending harmful traditional practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, ensuring access to quality education for girls and boys alike, or tackling the devastating impact of poverty and violence, we must take bold and systemic action.

“While the best time to act was yesterday, today is another opportunity to take action and avoid a regrettable future.”

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has commissioned the Nigerian For Women Project (NWFP) Bokwosayi women rice processing factory at Gwachipe, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

She commended the World Bank and the Governor of Niger State, Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago, for their role in making the project a reality.

The Minister described the transformative milestone as a journey towards redefining empowerment for Nigerian women, representing a beacon of hope, a symbol of progress, and a testament to the resilience and potential of Nigerian women, especially in Niger.

She also commended the exceptional support for the NFWP, and the integration of childcare facilities within the factory, which, according to her is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses one of the most significant barriers to women’s economic participation—balancing work and childcare. 

“This step exemplifies forward-thinking leadership and sets a precedent for inclusive economic planning.”

According to her, the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) exemplifies the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to achieving gender equality and enhancing women’s socio-economic outcomes.

Noting that it is ‘Women o Clock’, she stated that the project was designed as a long-term and multidimensional intervention, that addresses the systemic and market barriers that have long hindered women’s progress.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that through the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government, the World Bank, and strategic partners, the NFWP has made remarkable strides in improving household welfare, fostering economic empowerment, and uplifting communities. 

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She thanked the World Bank and the Governor for making the women’s dreams possible. 

She expressed happiness that the women are now empowered to provide for their families and their communities, which in turn would lead to a sharp reduction in cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women.

The minister also emphasized the need for family cohesion, asserting that empowered women would be able to train their children who would in turn, fill the economic gaps of their families.

Mr Micheal Ilesanmi, on behalf of the Country Director, stated that the NFWP was aimed at economically empowering Women in the country to be self-sufficient and to be able to improve the livelihood of their households and to contribute to the economy of the state.

He narrated the experience of one of the Emirs who expressed that the project has profoundly reduced the number of complaints from wives against their husbands over caring for the needs of their families.

Ilesanmi added that each of the processing stations can produce two tonnes of rice per day, adding it up to quantities that are made possible by the over 29 rice factories in the state.

Governor Bago in his remarks said he was happy because when a woman is empowered, the effect trickles down to all members of the family and the community. 

He promised his administration’s continued support for women and thanked the Minister for finding time to honour him and the women in the state.