Minister of Women Affairs Champions Women’s Economic Inclusion at UK–Nigeria Summit

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment, leading high-level discussions at a UK-Nigeria gathering in London focused on expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The event, held on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit, brought together policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders to advance collaboration on inclusive economic growth.

Central to the engagement was the unveiling and positioning of the SheThrives initiative, a partnership between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The programme is designed to support women-led businesses across Nigeria by improving access to finance, skills, and markets.

Speaking during the session, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the initiative aligns with the administration’s broader economic agenda, stressing that women must play a leading role in Nigeria’s development.

She stated that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the historic declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, the administration is deliberately positioning women at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation. SheThrives is a key vehicle for delivering that vision, connecting women to skills, markets, finance, and opportunity at scale.

The Minister noted that the initiative targets the empowerment of 10 million Nigerian women over the next three years, particularly those operating within micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Participants at the meeting highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in addressing structural barriers that limit women’s economic participation. Founder of the Foundation, Cherie Blair, underscored the broader impact of investing in women, noting that successful women entrepreneurs contribute to stronger communities and economic stability.

Also speaking, UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy described the partnership as a practical step toward strengthening economic ties between both countries while supporting female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The London engagement further reflects Nigeria’s growing emphasis on gender inclusion as a driver of economic growth. Under Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s leadership, the Ministry of Women Affairs continues to push policies and programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic status of women nationwide.