UNGA 2025: FG begins empowerment of 10 million women

The Federal Government says it has started empowering at least 10 million women as part of efforts to achieve Nigeria’s goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, announced this at a high-level event during the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA.

The event was themed “Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment: Financing Inclusive Growth for Peace, Development, and Human Rights – Lessons from Nigeria for Women Project.”

She explained that the empowerment programme is being carried out through targeted projects, initiatives, and interventions. One of the key channels is the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), which she described as the country’s most important women’s economic empowerment platform under President Bola Tinubu.

According to her, over 460,000 women have already been mobilised into Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), which have collectively saved more than ₦4.9 billion.

These groups also provide loans among themselves to expand businesses, pay school fees, and handle health expenses. In addition, over 330,000 women have received livelihood grants, with many gaining access to banks, national identity, and health insurance.

She said the project, which started in six pilot states, has now expanded nationwide, with the Women Affinity Groups becoming platforms for building confidence, strengthening communities, and reducing poverty.

The minister added that the government has also launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions – 774 (RH-SII774) programme, which will directly support more than 50 million women, children, families, and vulnerable persons across all 774 local government areas. The programme will address challenges such as gender inequality, family instability, digital exclusion, and child vulnerability.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara State, represented by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, said women empowerment is not only a moral duty but also an economic necessity for peace and prosperity.

He noted that the Nigeria for Women Programme is already active in 15 states, with commitments from 32 states. So far, 46,000 women have joined 22,000 Women Affinity Groups, saving more than ₦4.4 billion for business and community development.

Other speakers, including FCT Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, commended President Tinubu for prioritising women’s empowerment.
The event was attended by several governors, ministers, and diplomats.

The Tinubu administration has set a target for Nigeria to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030 under its “Renewed Hope Agenda.” An inter-ministerial committee was inaugurated in April to drive the process.