Renewed Hope Agenda Delivering Major Progress For Nigerians – Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim, has highlighted the far-reaching impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on women, families and vulnerable groups, stating that Nigeria is implementing one of the most comprehensive social protection and women empowerment programmes in its history.

The minister made the remarks while addressing delegates at the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

She noted that the Tinubu administration has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s social protection systems while prioritising policies that empower women, support families and safeguard children.

According to the minister, President Tinubu has also declared 2026 as Nigeria’s Year of Families and Social Development, a move she described as historic and reflective of the government’s commitment to building strong families as the foundation for women’s empowerment, child protection and stable communities.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that Nigeria’s social protection programmes have expanded significantly under the Renewed Hope Agenda, growing from fewer than one million beneficiary households in 2015 to nearly ten million households in 2026.

She added that women account for over 70 per cent of the programme’s primary beneficiaries.

She further revealed that the government is scaling up the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions 774 (RHSI774), which she described as the largest locally driven investment in women’s empowerment in the country’s history.

The initiative focuses on livelihood support, financial inclusion, access to clean energy, digital empowerment and broader social protection coverage.

The minister also highlighted the Women Digital Harmony Initiative, which includes the Happy Woman App, a digital platform designed to connect more than 20 million Nigerian women to mentorship, information and economic opportunities while strengthening networks of support.

Addressing the issue of gender-based violence, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria is strengthening its national safeguarding framework through improved coordination and accountability mechanisms, including the introduction of a National Electronic Dashboard for real-time monitoring of cases. She added that efforts are also being intensified to address emerging threats such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

She further noted that the government is promoting the care economy as a pathway to gender equality and inclusive growth by expanding childcare, eldercare and other social support services, while recognising and reducing the burden of unpaid care work largely carried by women.

On the policy front, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing key legal frameworks protecting women and children, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act.

She also disclosed that the Federal Government has approved an affirmative procurement framework aimed at increasing opportunities for women-owned and women-led businesses to participate in Nigeria’s public procurement system.

While acknowledging the progress made, the minister noted that women’s representation in Nigeria’s parliament remains below 10 per cent, adding that the proposed Reserved Special Seats Bill could significantly strengthen women’s participation in elective governance.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote positive masculinity and the development of a National Boy Child Policy, alongside expanded partnerships such as the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Programme, which targets 4.5 million women through economic empowerment and social support initiatives.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with the international community to advance gender equality, expand opportunities for women and girls, strengthen families and promote inclusive national development.

“Nigeria remains committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment as a cornerstone for inclusive growth, justice and sustainable development,” the minister said.