The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to gender-responsive climate action, economic empowerment, and social development, highlighting key initiatives aimed at uplifting women and vulnerable populations.
Women Leading Climate Action
She emphasized that women are at the forefront of climate change impacts and play a crucial role in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, Nigeria engaged the global community on gender-responsive climate action and unveiled plans to transition one million households from firewood-based cooking to clean energy solutions.
Economic Empowerment for Women
The Ministry aims to economically empower 10 million women by 2027, ensuring their active participation in Nigeria’s economic transformation. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, where women are key contributors.
Notable initiatives include:
Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project – A World Bank-supported program targeting 4.5 million women across all states, offering financial literacy, business development training, and cooperative structures.
MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme – In collaboration with WEMA Bank, this initiative will train 500,000 women in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. The first phase is currently underway in Kano State, with 2,500 women undergoing training.
National Microfinance Framework for Women Entrepreneurs – A new initiative to bridge the financing gap, offering affordable credit, investment opportunities, and gender-responsive financial services to support women-led businesses.
Addressing Food Security & Social Support
The government has launched a food intervention program to support women and vulnerable groups, providing financial aid and empowering women-led agricultural initiatives.
Additionally, a nationwide campaign has been introduced to distribute menstrual hygiene kits to 10,000 young girls, combating period poverty and ensuring girls remain in school.
Education & Gender Equality
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Sa’id-Ahmad, stressed the importance of increasing access to education for girls, particularly in underserved communities. She highlighted key challenges such as early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and emotional intelligence, emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to breaking barriers for girls’ education and empowerment.
A Vision for the Future
Reflecting on 100 days in office, the Minister of Women Affairs emphasized that bold decisions, strategic partnerships, and measurable impacts have driven progress. However, she reiterated that more work lies ahead to ensure lasting change for women and children in Nigeria.
