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….As She Assume Office As Women Affairs Minister
The Minister of Women Affairs Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust and honour he has placed in her with her appointment as Minister of Women Affairs.
Giving a speech during her assumption of office at the Ministry of Women Affairs, she said, “Today marks the beginning of a new era for every Nigerian woman, child, and vulnerable citizen, 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.”
“In a nation where women make up nearly half of the population, we can not tolerate the fact that so many Nigerian women continue to face significant barriers that inhibit their ability to reach their full potential.
“These challenges cut across every sphere of society – whether in business, employment, political representation, education, or sports.
“Nigerian women still face social, economic, and political barriers that limit their contributions and deprive our nation of their full potential. These realities are contrary to our core principles as a nation, and we must address them with urgency, resilience, and dedication.
“Under the progressive leadership of His Excellency 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. The Women Affairs Minister stated
According to her, “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.
“Nigerian women are significant drivers of our economy. Women own approximately 41% of all Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, contributing immensely to our GDP and job creation.
“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 Sub-Saharan 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.
“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed us to take specific, impactful actions, and I assure you, we are already on course. 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.
Hon Imaan stated that, “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.
She called on every stakeholder to be proactive, transparent, and relentless in the pursuit of the shared objectives.
