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The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, is planning to empower over 4.5 million women across the country with the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up initiative.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated the need for swift action to implement the NFWP-SU, just as the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, underscored the power of unity and collaboration that affords women the opportunity to thrive.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, on Saturday, the minister, alluding to the 18-month delay in execution, stressed that time is of the essence, and immediate action is required to meet the project’s development objectives.
The statement noted that “The project approved in June 2023, aims to empower 4.5 million women across Nigeria through economic inclusion, financial empowerment, and access to essential skills and resources.”
PUNCH Online reports that the World Bank Group approved a $500m for NFWP-SU in 2023 which is expected to further support the government of Nigeria to invest in improving the livelihoods of women in Nigeria making it the second loan approved by the World Bank under President, Bola Tinubu.
“We must leave this room with clear commitments, decisive actions, and a renewed sense of urgency to drive implementation at the state level, ensuring that no woman is left behind,” the minister said.
She called on state Commissioners fir Women Affairs to prioritise the recruitment of high-quality project staff and constitute relevant implementation structures without delay.
She also emphasised the need for a clear roadmap with firm commitments from each state on their acceleration plans and next steps.
The NFWP-SU is an initiative that aligns with the broader vision of empowering 10 million Nigerian women under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister assured all that the Federal Government is committed to supporting the project’s success, with a high-profile Presidential launch planned within the next month.
“The stakes are high, and the responsibility rests on us. The estimated 4.5 million women who stand to benefit from this project are not just numbers; they are mothers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and contributors to our nation’s economy. Their success is Nigeria’s success,” she added.
On her part, the permanent secretary said that she was thrilled to see many passionate individuals united by a shared vision, adding that women are the heartbeat of the society, therefore, bringing creativity, resilience, and inspiration, is ” our responsibility to ensure they have the necessary tools and opportunities they deserve to thrive.”
