By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Friday, 6 February 2026 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declared 2026 as the “Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria”, calling for coordinated action across all levels of government to strengthen family cohesion, social welfare, and women’s empowerment.
The declaration was made on Thursday, 5 February 2026, during the Presidential Launch of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the President emphasized that national growth is impossible without placing women at the center of planning and development.
The announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed during President Tinubu’s official visit to Turkey, aimed at strengthening family systems and social welfare initiatives.
“A nation that relegates its women is a nation bound for implosion.
Today stands as proof of our commitment to placing women at the forefront of decision-making and national transformation,” the President said.
President Tinubu noted that women are key architects of Nigeria’s development, critical to family stability, community resilience, and national productivity. He set a national ambition to reach 25 million Nigerian women through the NFWP-SU project, calling on partners such as the World Bank to provide technical support, financing, and innovation.
He also highlighted the importance of digital inclusion as foundational to effective service delivery and national competitiveness.
Commending the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the President praised the Ministry for integrating technology into policy implementation and for reorganizing social development into a more coherent system through initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention.
“National transformation succeeds when all levels of government move with shared purpose,” the President said, applauding state governors and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for aligning federal vision with state-level execution.
Ministerial Highlights
Earlier, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, described the launch as a historic shift in Nigeria’s approach to women’s empowerment, where women are central drivers of economic growth, social cohesion, and democratic stability. She noted that the first phase of the NFWP successfully addressed harmful social norms and strengthened women’s socio-economic resilience, providing evidence of the transformative power of women’s empowerment.
The Minister also announced the launch of Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, positioning Nigeria among a select group of countries achieving this milestone.
Partner Contributions
World Bank Regional Representative for Africa, Robert Chase, highlighted that investing in women is the most impactful investment a nation can make.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Nigeria Director, Uche Amaonwu, emphasized that women’s empowerment directly leads to healthier families and safer communities.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed readiness to collaborate on women-focused initiatives.
Senate Representatives, including Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Ireti Kingibe, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to passing laws that expand women’s access to governance and economic resources.
Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Lawal, announced that Katsina State has earmarked ₦4 billion in its current budget to support the NFWP-SU initiative.
President Tinubu’s declaration and the launch of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up reinforce the administration’s focus on social development, family stability, and women’s empowerment as cornerstones for national transformation.
This statement was signed by Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Head, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
