Nigeria Spent Only N365 Per Woman on GBV Response in 2024 – Invictus Africa

Damilola Ogundipe

Nigeria spent an average of N365 on each woman and girl for the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV) in 2024, according to findings from the 2025 Womanity Index Report (WIR). The report, produced by Invictus Africa, was unveiled on Tuesday at Fraser Suites in Abuja.

The Womanity Index, now in its third edition, evaluates how state governments are performing across five core areas: laws and policies, access to justice, support services, public awareness, and budgetary commitment. Presenting the findings, Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Bukky Shonibare, described the national spending level as “grossly inadequate,” noting that one in two Nigerians is unaware of the GBV law in their state, and many have never heard of a single conviction under those laws. She said the lack of proper funding continues to weaken survivor support services, reduce awareness, and limit access to justice.

The report shows that average per-capita spending rose slightly from N310.89 in 2023 to N365.60 in 2024. Akwa Ibom recorded the highest per-capita spending at N1,872.18, followed by Bayelsa at N1,716, while Rivers and Anambra recorded the lowest levels at N34.41 and N46.42 respectively. In the Womanity Index grading, Lagos and Akwa Ibom ranked highest, scoring 91.3 per cent and 80 per cent, while Zamfara finished at the bottom with 47.5 per cent.

Shonibare noted that state ministries of women affairs continue to face major budgetary constraints, receiving an average of only 0.6 per cent of state budgets. She pointed out that some states allocate as little as 0.1 per cent, while Borno was the only state that dedicated more than 2 per cent, with 2.3 per cent of its 2024 budget going to the ministry. She added that many states still lack Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and where they exist, they are mostly run by NGOs or sustained through donor funding.

Other speakers at the launch echoed the urgency of stronger state commitments. Ford Foundation’s West Africa Regional Director, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, stressed the need for accurate data and increased domestic funding, noting that the Womanity Index provides detailed, state-level insights that should guide effective policymaking. Former Ekiti First Lady and Co-founder of the Amandla Institute, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, called for collective responsibility, saying every sector and stakeholder has a role to play in ending GBV. Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation, Dapo Oyewole, emphasised the importance of evidence-based and survivor-centred investments. Nasarawa State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Hauwa Samuel Jugbo, warned that inadequate funding leaves many survivors trapped in violent homes because there are no shelters or funded legal pathways available.

The 2025 Womanity Index draws on responses from 40,111 people across 399 local government areas, supported by 321 interviews with government officials, service providers and key stakeholders, and a review of policy documents and budget data. The findings show that GBV remains widespread, with 59 per cent of Nigerians either having experienced violence themselves or knowing someone who has.