By Nafisat Makinde
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion, education, and leadership opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
While attending the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim met with representatives of Wane Global, CS Strategies, and TAI Corp on March 13, 2025. During the meeting, she emphasized the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs, saying: “Financial inclusion and leadership development are critical to ensuring Nigerian women can fully participate in the economy, scale their businesses, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
The meeting focused on fostering strategic partnerships to accelerate women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria, particularly in enhancing access to finance, expanding education and training opportunities, and strengthening gender equality policies. The discussions also centered on creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
According to a statement signed by Jonathan Eze, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim reiterated the Nigerian government’s commitment to breaking systemic barriers that hinder women’s economic participation, as outlined in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement further noted that ongoing reforms within the financial and policy landscape are designed to increase investment in women-led businesses, improve access to credit, and equip women entrepreneurs with the skills needed to thrive in competitive markets.
Representatives from Wane Global, CS Strategies, and TAI Corp commended Nigeria’s efforts in prioritizing gender-responsive economic policies and pledged to support initiatives aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs through capacity-building programs, mentorship, and financial instruments tailored for women-led enterprises.
The partnership is expected to yield significant benefits for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, including increased access to finance, improved business skills, and enhanced leadership capabilities. As the Nigerian government continues to prioritize women’s economic empowerment, the country is poised to reap the benefits of a more inclusive and diversified economy.
The collaboration between the Nigerian government and international partners is a significant step towards promoting women’s economic empowerment and reducing gender inequality in Nigeria.
