By Palma Ileye
Newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs, Hon Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has promised a new era for Nigerian women, assuring of empowerment, equity, progress.
Speaking on the occasion of her assumption of Office, at the Minister’s Conference Room of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ibrahim assured of the beginning of a new era for every Nigerian woman, child, and vulnerable citizen.
She said, “As I step into this role as the Minister of Women’s Affairs. I stand before you not only as a representative of the government but as a woman, a mother, and a Nigerian with a strong commitment to ensuring that every woman, child, and marginalized group in our nation has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, purpose, and freedom.”
She noted that in a nation where women make up nearly half of the population, saying that the fact that so many Nigerian women continue to face significant barriers that inhibit their ability to reach their full potential cannot be tolerated.
She said that these challenges cut across every sphere of society – whether in business, employment, political representation, education, or sports and Nigerian women still face social, economic, and political barriers that limit their contributions and deprive the nation of their full potential adding that these realities were contrary to the core principles as a nation and must address them with urgency, resilience, and dedication.
She said, “Under the progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we are resolved to bridge this gender gap by untangling deeply rooted discriminatory practices. We are committed to empowering women through skills development, entrepreneurial support, employment opportunities, and political participation.
“As we take bold steps, we will not only monitor the enforcement of laws but actively ensure policies are effectively applied to protect the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, and the vulnerable. Anything that affects Nigerian women affects me personally, and as your Minister, I am here to stand by you, fight for you, and ensure that your voices are not only heard but acted upon.
“I am very aware, that despite Nigeria’s nearly equal male and female population in Nigeria, statistics reveal that job placements, appointments, and elective positions remain significantly skewed in favour of men. Currently, women hold less than 5% of elective positions nationwide and occupy less than 22% of senior leadership roles in the private sector. We are committed to intensifying efforts to close this gender inclusivity gap by fostering equal opportunities for both men and women.
“Our mission will be driven by policies that support women’s advancement through education, vocational training, and professional and leadership development. Only with these targeted actions can we build a fairer and more balanced workforce landscape in Nigeria.”
She noted that Nigerian women were significant drivers of the economy explaining that Women own approximately 41% of all Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs, in Nigeria, contributing immensely to the GDP and job creation.
She explained that an astounding 23 million female entrepreneurs operate within the micro-business sector, demonstrating the power, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women.
“Imagine what more we could achieve if we provided them with the resources, access, and support they deserve. It is time we strengthen the environment that nurtures these contributions and leverages the immense economic potential of our women.
“Recently, Nigeria made strides on the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, moving up five spots. However, being ranked 125th out of 146 countries and 29th in subSaharan Africa indicates that we have substantial work ahead of us. Countries like Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Rwanda lead the continent in gender parity, and we must ask ourselves: why not Nigeria?
“As a nation, we have long affirmed our commitment to gender equality by ratifying significant international conventions, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW and the African Union’s Maputo Protocol. We have also adopted the ECOWAS Gender Policy. These frameworks are not mere formalities but powerful instruments for social change. As we approach 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 10th anniversary of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, we will intensify our commitment by producing a comprehensive country report to assess our progress, learn from our journey, and recalibrate our strategies,” she said.
The Women Minister said that the President has directed to take specific, impactful actions assuring that this was already on course.
She continued, “Among our commitments are: We will work tirelessly to ensure that women’s voices are heard and represented in all areas of governance; We will advocate for laws that empower women and ensure their rights are protected. This will include working closely with legislators and civil society to bring discriminatory laws to an end; Women and girls who suffer from gender-based violence must have access to swift and fair justice. We will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a robust and effective response to such incidents; We will expand social services, ensuring they are equipped to support survivors of violence and collaborate with partners to create safe spaces for those affected; In partnership with stakeholders, we will strengthen guidelines and protocols for the protection of children from abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. The well-being of our children will always be a top priority.
“These mandates from Mr President are very clear, and I am immensely grateful to him for his confidence in me to lead this charge. I will not betray that confidence or let Nigerians down. We will work to make the adjustments necessary to become Africa’s leader in gender equity. I have a proven record from my tenure at NAPTIP, where I led Nigeria from a Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 1. Tangible results are achievable when we commit to our objectives. Once again, I pledge to deliver.
“Our goals are ambitious, and to achieve them, we must work collectively. Government MDAs, the private sector, civil society, and international partners must align efforts to avoid duplication and maximize resources. I call on every stakeholder to be proactive, transparent, and relentless in the pursuit of our shared objectives.
“My tenure as Minister of Women Affairs will not be “business as usual.” We are entering a new era, where action will speak louder than words, policy will translate into practice, and our efforts will reflect the urgent call for justice, equality, and progress. It is indeed Women O’clock in Nigeria. I am calling on all hands to be on deck to support this movement of equity and progress.
“To every Nigerian woman: this is your time. Together, we will break down barriers, lift each other up, and ensure that your voices are heard, your rights are protected, and your dreams are within reach. I am here for you, and we will walk this path forward, hand in hand, towards a brighter and more inclusive Nigeria.”
She also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust and honour in placing with her, this appointment, and for his unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable groups.