The Federal Government has unveiled a bold plan to empower 10 million Nigerian women through targeted economic and social initiatives, as part of its commitment to gender equality and inclusive development. The announcement was made during Nigeria’s presentation at the ongoing 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where world leaders are discussing strategies to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the high-level session, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to prioritise women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of national growth. He explained that the initiative would focus on improving access to finance, expanding opportunities in entrepreneurship, boosting digital literacy, and providing greater inclusion in decision-making processes. According to him, empowering women is key to unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potential.
The plan is designed to create sustainable livelihoods by strengthening support systems for women-owned businesses, particularly in agriculture, technology, and small-scale enterprises. Government officials revealed that part of the strategy includes partnerships with international development agencies, private investors, and civil society organisations to ensure effective implementation.
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, who also addressed delegates at UNGA, emphasised that the programme would give women the tools to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. She noted that women’s empowerment is directly linked to better health outcomes, improved education for children, and stronger community resilience.
Observers say the move aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to diversify its economy and tackle poverty, especially as women make up nearly half of the population but remain underrepresented in economic participation. Experts believe that bridging the gender gap could add billions of dollars to Nigeria’s GDP and strengthen its role as a leading economy in Africa.
While the initiative has been widely applauded, stakeholders caution that proper monitoring and accountability mechanisms must be put in place to prevent mismanagement of resources. They stress that past empowerment programmes often fell short due to poor implementation and lack of follow-up support for beneficiaries.
As Nigeria takes its message of gender equality to the global stage, the government insists it is determined to deliver tangible results this time. If successful, the empowerment of 10 million women could mark a turning point not only for Nigeria’s economy but also for the lives of millions of families across the country.
