By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria is transforming thousands of women’s cooperatives into sustainable economic institutions under a new nationwide empowerment model designed to deepen financial inclusion and drive inclusive growth.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced the initiative during the inauguration of the Federal Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) in Abuja. She described it as a shift from fragmented interventions to a unified national framework for women’s economic empowerment.
She said the scale-up phase, now extended to all 36 states and the FCT, builds on lessons from the first phase (2018–2024) and integrates livelihood support, financial inclusion, and social protection under one platform. “We are replacing fragmented interventions with a systemic model that positions women as the drivers of Nigeria’s inclusive growth, resilience, and long-term stability,” she said.
The Minister added that the project had already taken off in 18 states and received a satisfactory rating in the latest World Bank Implementation Support Mission. With a target to reach about four million women nationwide, the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Women Economic Empowerment Policy, the World Bank’s Global Crises Response Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and inclusion.
Speaking on behalf of the World Bank, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi commended the Federal Government for sustaining the programme and improving women’s access to finance and entrepreneurship opportunities. Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and policy alignment in the scale-up process.
The newly inaugurated Steering Committee will provide strategic guidance, approve budgets and workplans, and ensure coordination among implementing ministries and agencies. Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim urged members to remain focused on translating women’s potential into measurable economic progress for national development.
