The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has expressed his ministry’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives designed to empower women across the country.
He made the pledge at the presidential launch of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The programme, which aims to reach 25 million beneficiaries nationwide, is a flagship initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to promote women’s economic inclusion and strengthen national development.
President Tinubu underscored the importance of women’s participation in nation-building, stating: “A nation that relegates its women is a nation bound for implosion. We have long understood this truth.”
He stressed the need to place women at the centre of national planning, adding: “We have set a bold but achievable national ambition: to reach 25 million Nigerian women through this programme.”
The President also urged the World Bank to enhance its financing, technical support, and innovation partnerships to ensure the successful national scale-up of the initiative.
“Digital inclusion is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective service delivery and national competitiveness,” he said.
Tinubu further designated 2026 as the “Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria”, directing coordinated action at all levels of government.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represented the Senate President at the event, said the scale-up of the Nigeria for Women Project demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing women’s needs.
She added that the National Assembly would continue to enact legislation aimed at expanding women’s access to governance and economic opportunities.
Similarly, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Jobe, reaffirmed the commitment of state governments to provide counterpart funding for women-focused projects. He disclosed that Katsina State has earmarked ₦4 billion in its current budget to support the initiative.
