By| Goodluck E.Adubazi,
Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Nigerian women that their aspirations remain central to his administration, declaring that “their hope will not be in vain” as the government intensifies efforts toward inclusion and empowerment.
The President’s message was delivered on Monday at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the grand finale of the 2026 Give2Gain Summit, held to commemorate International Women’s Month under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.”
Speaking further, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that women’s empowerment is no longer symbolic but a national priority embedded in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“It is not just an event, but a movement and a mandate,” she said. “Every day is Women’s Day, and every month bears her mark.”
The Minister highlighted the critical role women play in national development, noting that although they constitute over half of Nigeria’s population and dominate the agricultural workforce, they remain largely excluded from access to finance, land, and formal economic systems. She described closing this gap as “not charity, but strategy.”
According to her, the government has introduced the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention, a nationwide initiative designed to empower over 15 million women through micro-credit schemes, vocational training, enterprise financing, agricultural support, and clean energy access.
She also revealed that the administration has approved an affirmative procurement policy to expand opportunities for women-owned businesses, which currently account for less than five percent of public procurement participation.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajia Fatimah Abbas, commended the initiative and reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening families as the foundation of national development. She noted that the designation of 2026 as the “Year of Families and Social Development” reflects a deliberate strategy to build inclusive growth from the grassroots.
“Strong families create stable communities, and stable communities build a strong nation,” she said, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in this structure.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, underscored the importance of deliberate investment in women, stating that “when women win, the economy wins.”
Also speaking, the UN Women Representative in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, called for increased political representation for women, describing current figures at the National Assembly as “very poor.” She urged leaders to address systemic and financial barriers limiting women’s participation in governance.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, highlighted the gender gap in financial inclusion, revealing that a significant percentage of women remain excluded from the financial system. He called for policies that lower barriers and promote sustainable inclusion.
The summit also featured Major Empowerment for women, a panel discussion on digital inclusion, with contributions from public and private sector leaders, including Microsoft West Africa, amongst others focusing on expanding access, skills, and opportunities for women in the digital economy.
The event concluded with a renewed call for action and participation in the upcoming 10 Million Women Mega Empowerment Rally scheduled for May 5 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment, the Minister delivered the President’s closing message: “When women rise, society rises — and their hope will not be in vain.”
