Spread the word The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has commended the declaration of 2026 as the year of families and social development, describing it as a bold step toward placing women, children, and vulnerable groups at the heart of national development. Speaking during the 2026 International Women’s Day press briefing and the pre-session of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), on Friday in Abuja, the minister praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what she called a visionary move that aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. According to her, the declaration recognises families as the foundation of national productivity and social stability. She noted that under the leadership of President Tinubu, Nigeria’s social protection system has expanded significantly, particularly in supporting vulnerable households across the country. “In 2015, fewer than one million households were enrolled in any formal social protection programme. By 2026, national social safety net interventions have reached over 9.4 million households, with women accounting for more than 70 percent of the primary beneficiaries,” she said. Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the expansion as one of the most significant developments in Nigeria’s social protection landscape since independence, noting that it provides a strong platform for further reforms aimed at strengthening families and communities. The minister also acknowledged the role of the media in amplifying issues affecting women and vulnerable populations, urging journalists to sustain responsible and gender-sensitive reporting. She said while gender-focused coverage in Nigeria had historically been limited, there has been noticeable progress in recent years with more media organisations highlighting women’s issues and promoting gender equality. Highlighting Nigeria’s legal and policy framework for gender equality, the minister pointed to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act as critical instruments for protecting women and children. She revealed that while only 15 states had adopted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law as of 2015, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have now enacted the law or equivalent legislation following sustained advocacy by the federal government, civil society groups, and state authorities. Sulaiman-Ibrahim further disclosed that the ministry has expanded its mandate in the last two years to move beyond traditional women-focused programmes to include broader interventions targeting children, families, and social development systems. As part of this shift, she said a dedicated Nutrition Department has been established within the ministry to strengthen coordination of national nutrition programmes and improve delivery of evidence-based interventions aimed at enhancing child survival and human capital development. She added that the initiative will help consolidate national efforts to address malnutrition and strengthen family welfare across the country. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality, strengthening families, and ensuring that women and vulnerable groups remain central to Nigeria’s development agenda. Dr. Aisha Yerima-Dahiru, Queen Mother of Azobia Worldwide, praised the Women Affairs and Social Development minister, for her exceptional leadership. Dr. Yerima-Dahiru expressed deep appreciation for the minister’s efforts in advancing women’s rights and visibility nationwide. She advocated passionately for the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, which, she emphasised, will create critical opportunities for women to run for chairman positions in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as governorship roles in Nigeria’s 36 states. She emphasised that, historically, women’s leadership roles in the FCT and across Nigeria have been severely limited, but once the bill passes, a new wave of female leaders will emerge with passion and determination. She added that women, under the leadership of Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim, have gained unprecedented national presence. “There is hope and once this bill is passed, we will see women stepping up with zeal, taking leadership positions, and transforming this country,” she said. She applauded the minister’s exemplary work, saying that she has truly given women a national face and has raised the bar for what is possible in Nigeria’s gender progress.