The World Bank, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, has officially presented the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) to the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women across the country.
The Director of Information and Public Relations Unit in the ministry, Naja’atu Alwan Hassan, said in a press statement that the event, which held on January 16, 2025 at the minister’s conference room in Abuja, underscored the government’s commitment to gender equality, economic inclusion, and social development for Nigerian women.
The minister, in her remarks, emphasised the significance of the project in enhancing women’s access to financial resources, skills development, and economic opportunities.
She reiterated the government’s resolve to create an enabling environment for women to thrive, stating, “The Nigeria for Women Project is a strategic step toward closing gender gaps and ensuring that Nigerian women are empowered to contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Setting the tone for the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the ministry’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s rights and economic participation.
She noted that the project aligns with global best practices in fostering women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
The Nigeria for Women Project is designed to support women through financial inclusion programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and social empowerment strategies.
With backing from the World Bank, the project will focus on key intervention areas, including entrepreneurship, vocational training, and access to credit facilities for women-led businesses.
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, development partners, and representatives from the government and civil society, all of whom expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact on Nigerian women and the nation’s economic growth.
