Tinubu Reassures Nigerian Women That Their Aspirations Remain Central To His Administration

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Nigerian women that their aspirations remain central to his administration.

As the government intensifies efforts toward inclusion and empowerment for the women, the President declared that. "Your hope will not be in vain” 

The President’s message was delivered during the grand finale of the 2026 Give2Gain Summit, held to commemorate International Women’s Month under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.”

Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, while addressing the women emphasized that women’s empowerment is no longer symbolic but a national priority embedded in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister who highlighted the critical role women play in national development, noted that although they constitute over half of Nigeria’s population and dominate the agricultural workforce, they remain largely excluded from access to finance, land, and formal economic systems. This is as she described closing this gap as “not charity, but strategy

According to her, the government has introduced the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention, a nationwide initiative designed to empower over 15 million women through micro-credit schemes, vocational training, enterprise financing, agricultural support, and clean energy access.

She also revealed that the administration has approved an affirmative procurement policy to expand opportunities for women-owned businesses, which currently account for less than five percent of public procurement participation.

Nigeria's  First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by Hajia Fatimah Abbas, commended the initiative and reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening families as the foundation of national development. 

She noted that the designation of 2026 as the “Year of Families and Social Development” reflects a deliberate strategy to build inclusive growth from the grassroots.

“Strong families create stable communities, and stable communities build a strong nation,” she said, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in this structure. She stated 

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, underscored the importance of deliberate investment in women, stating that “when women win, the economy wins.”

Also speaking, the UN Women Representative in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, called for increased political representation for women, describing current figures at the National Assembly as “very poor.” She urged leaders to address systemic and financial barriers limiting women’s participation in governance.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, highlighted the gender gap in financial inclusion, revealing that a significant percentage of women remain excluded from the financial system. He called for policies that lower barriers and promote sustainable inclusion.

The summit also featured Major Empowerment for women, a panel discussion on digital inclusion, with contributions from public and private sector leaders, including Microsoft West Africa, amongst others focusing on expanding access, skills, and opportunities for women in the digital economy.

At the close of the event, one message the women will take home is, the Minister of Women Affairs  assurance that , "As Nigeria advances toward the bold ambition of a one trillion-dollar economy, let it be clearly stated: we do not inch forward in spite of women; we rise because of them. 

"Women constitute over 50% of our population and contribute an estimated over 40% of the nation’s agricultural labour force, yet remain disproportionately excluded from access to finance, land, and formal economic structures. Closing this gap is not charity; it is strategy. When women gain, the nation multiplies its productivity, its prosperity, and its possibilities

"We stand tall in April, yet we carry the fire of March. Some may wonder why we mark the grand finale of the 2026 International Women’s Month after the calendar has turned. But, my simple answer is as enduring as the woman herself: her strength cannot be confined to thirty-one days. 

"The rhythm of her impact is not seasonal, it is eternal. Today, we affirm that advocacy for women is not an event; it is a movement. Not a moment; but a mandate. a mandate of Renewed  Hope, A mandate Renewed Promise and A mandate of Renewed Prosperity. Every day is women’s day, and every month bears her mark.