FG to Empower 5 Million Women with Financial and Business Support

The Federal Government, through its Nigerian Women Project, has unveiled an ambitious initiative to economically and entrepreneurially uplift more than five million Nigerian women nationwide. Announced by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman‑Ibrahim, this landmark programme is designed to bolster financial capacity, stimulate small‑business growth, and remove longstanding structural obstacles to women’s full participation in the economy.

At the 2025 Pre‑5th Colloquium of the Pan‑African Africa Young Women—convened under the theme “Women Entrepreneurs as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development and Economic Growth”—Minister Suleiman‑Ibrahim (represented by Special Assistant Ola Erinfolami) outlined four cornerstone interventions:

1. Comprehensive Financial & Business Support: Rolling out tailored grants, low‑interest credit lines, and hands‑on mentorship across all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, enabling women to launch or expand ventures in agriculture, manufacturing, services, and technology.
2. Energy‑Inclusion Campaign: Tackling “energy poverty” by distributing solar‑powered home systems and delivering technical training in renewable‑energy installation and maintenance, thus ensuring that women‑led enterprises remain competitive and sustainable.
3. Gender‑Responsive Legal Advocacy: Pushing for reforms to secure dedicated representation—such as reserved legislative seats—and to mainstream gender considerations into existing laws, thereby creating an enabling policy environment for female entrepreneurs.
4. Leadership & Mindset Transformation: Hosting workshops and peer forums to dismantle societal biases, foster self‑confidence, and groom women as community change‑makers and decision‑makers at every level.

The Minister stressed that Africa’s broader socio‑economic renaissance hinges on women’s unfettered leadership and engagement. Echoing this sentiment, several dignitaries shared their perspectives:

• ACP Zainab Bello, standing in for Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, underscored women’s central role in peacebuilding and community cohesion.
• Dr. Temitope Enitan‑Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, implored participants to embrace self‑esteem and personal development as foundations for entrepreneurial success.
• Dr. Jophia Gupar, founder of the Pan‑African Africa Young Women network, noted the colloquium’s expansion to 27 nations and its growing impact in scaling women‑owned enterprises across the continent.
• Princess Edna Azura, President of the National Council of Women Societies, hailed the programme as fulfilling the lofty aspirations of Nigeria’s pioneering women activists.

The gathering attracted representatives from government bodies, non‑governmental organisations, and private‑sector partners, who engaged in in‑depth discussions on agribusiness innovation, strategies for enhancing food security, and the critical need for shifting societal mindsets to fully recognize women as architects of sustainable progress.

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