Your Excellencies, distinguished stakeholders, esteemed guests, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen.

1. I want to begin by thanking our Father, H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Mother of the Nation, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON for finding me worthy to occupy this all-important Ministry of Women Afffairs, which impacts and affects lives, as we move on to deliver on the gender-related nineteen deliverables under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
2. We thank the Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies for supporting efforts that impact our mandate, Prof. AbubakarO. Sulaiman, a true HeforShe. We will engage further with the institute after this meeting.
3. At the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, we recognize that gender issues are cross-cutting all spheres of human endeavours and that the pplWomen Affairs and its State counterparts cannot do it all. So we appreciate FAWE for spear heading the launch of the Maputo protocol. However, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs remains committed to upholding its coordinating role to ensure that the issues are properly synergized, documented for appropriate policy action, implementation and monitoring the progress made.
4. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and its State counterparts, were statutorily established as the National mechanisms for the advancement of women, as a fall out of Beijing Conference about 30 years ago to address the issues and concerns of women and children and to promote inclusion.
5. In a few days from now, precisely from 25th November to 10th December, we will join other stakeholders around the globe to observe the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. We invite you all to join us in this campaign. Under my stewardship, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will revisit recommendations brought before it from various technical efforts as well as the resolutions from this event to ensure that we advance critical actions necessary for the integrated development of Nigerian women and girls, including women, children and the vulnerable groups in Nigeria
6. I am therefore excited to stand before you today at the launch of Nigeria’s National Scorecard for the Maputo Protocol – a document that reflects our dedication to advancing the rights transparency, accountability, and measurable progress.
7. Just last week, I represented Nigeria at the First Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia, where we committed to bold actions that align closely with the spirit of the Maputo Protocol. Among our national commitments, we pledged to strengthen laws and policies to combat violence against children, including a review of the level of implementation of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and to roll out comprehensive child protection frameworks across the country. We are also driving forward an ambitious agenda to eliminate harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation, by implementing community-led initiatives and strategies to eradicate these practices by 2030.
8. Distinguished Guest, ladies and gentlemen, at the Ministry of Women Affairs, we are resolute in our mission to champion and support initiatives that not only safeguard our children but also promote the dignity and agency of women and girls. This scorecard launch, therefore, provides a transparent lens through which we can evaluate our progress, highlight successes, address gaps, and strengthen impact. We are ready to work closely with our partners from government, civil society, academia, and the international community to ensure that Nigeria sets a model for progress in gender equity, accountability, and social justice.
9. In response to the emerging issues highlighted by the scorecard, I am committed to strengthening our approach to monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. My ministry will establish a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework specifically aimed at tracking the progress of gender-related policies and programs under the Maputo Protocol. This framework will focus on collecting gender-disaggregated data, which will allow us to understand the impact of our initiatives on various demographic groups. Additionally, we are dedicated to enhancing transparency and accountability by publishing regular progress reports. These efforts will enable us to make informed adjustments to our strategies and swiftly address any new challenges that may arise.
10. To promote cohesive and efficient implementation, I will lead the formation of inter-agency committees and task forces focused on advancing women’s rights and gender equality. These bodies will serve as a platform for coordination among federal, state, and local governments, facilitating the sharing of resources, knowledge, and best practices. This alignment will ensure that our programs not only meet national objectives but also address local needs. By fostering this collaborative approach, we can minimize service delivery gaps and make optimal use of resources, creating a unified commitment across all levels of government to achieve the goals of the Maputo Protocol.
11. In closing, let us see today as a call to action to drive forward with renewed energy to achieve gender equality and protect the rights of all Nigerian women and girls. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, the Forum for African Women Educationalists Nigeria, and all our partners for their role in this vital initiative. May we succeed.
12. Thank you, and God Bless you all.