Women must become co-creators of prosperity, Minister

Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urged a fundamental shift in how women's economic empowerment is approached, advocating for women to transition from being passive recipients of aid to active co-creators of national prosperity. This call to action came during the 'SheIsIncluded 2026 Summit'.

The Federal Government has outlined ambitious plans to create economic opportunities for 10 million Nigerian women. This initiative will focus on skills development, providing recognized credentials, and enhancing access to both employment and entrepreneurship. The minister stated, "For too long, women have largely been beneficiaries of intervention programmes. What we want now is to economically empower them so they become co-creators of prosperity."

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For too long, women have largely been beneficiaries of intervention programmes. What we want now is to economically empower them so they become co-creators of prosperity.

The two-day summit, co-convened by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, centered on the theme "Designing for Delivery: Financing. Systems. Scale." It aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to establish a practical delivery framework that involves government bodies, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector organizations.

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A woman should not need wealth or proximity to opportunity to develop a valuable skill.

Under the 'SheIsIncluded' initiative, women will gain access to free, mobile-first learning modules delivered in local languages, utilizing readily available mobile phones. The program concludes with a verifiable credential designed for recognition by employers and financial institutions. Mamadou Kwidjim Toure, founder of Ubuntu Tribe, the implementation and technology partner, highlighted technology's role in dismantling barriers to women's opportunities, emphasizing that "A woman should not need wealth or proximity to opportunity to develop a valuable skill."

Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, described the summit as a pivotal moment, marking a transition "from policy conversations to practical implementation." The overarching goal is to equip 10 million Nigerian women with essential skills, recognition, and economic opportunities through a coordinated national effort.

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The summit marks a decisive transition from policy conversations to practical implementation.