Nigeria Expands Social Protection to 10 Million Households, Prioritises Women’s Empowerment – Minister at UN CSW70

Nigeria Expands Social Protection to 10 Million Households, Prioritises Women’s Empowerment – Minister at UN CSW70

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and strengthening family structures, with the Federal Government declaring 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Delivering Nigeria’s country statement at the global forum, the minister said the designation underscores the government’s belief that strong families are essential to empowering women, protecting children, and fostering cohesive communities.

She noted that Nigeria has significantly expanded its social protection initiatives over the past decade, with coverage growing from fewer than one million households in 2015 to nearly 10 million households in 2026.

According to the minister, women account for more than 70 percent of the primary beneficiaries of these programmes, highlighting the government’s deliberate focus on improving women’s welfare and economic inclusion.

The minister also highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions 774, describing it as the largest locally driven investment in women’s empowerment in Nigeria’s history. The initiative, she said, aims to provide targeted support to women across the country’s 774 local government areas.

In addition, she announced the introduction of the Happy Woman App, a digital platform designed to connect more than 20 million Nigerian women to information, mentorship opportunities, and economic resources that can enhance their livelihoods.

On the issue of gender-based violence, the minister explained that Nigeria is strengthening its institutional response through a comprehensive safeguarding mechanism and the creation of a National Electronic Dashboard to enable real-time coordination, monitoring, and accountability.

She further stressed that advancing the care economy remains central to achieving gender equality, noting that the government is working to recognise unpaid care work and expand childcare and social support services for women and families.

The minister also disclosed that the recently approved affirmative procurement system will open greater opportunities for women-owned and women-led businesses to access government contracts.

While acknowledging that women’s representation in Nigeria’s parliament remains below 10 percent, she described the proposed Reserved Special Seats Bill as a historic opportunity to significantly improve women’s participation in governance.

The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with the global community to accelerate progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with international development goals.