The Federal Government has reported progress in advancing the National Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, with Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Kwara states having domesticated the framework. Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, disclosed this during a WEE Mid-Point Review and Partnership Convening in Abuja on Thursday, held with the Albright Stonebridge Group. She stated that over two-thirds of Nigeria's states have signalled intent to adopt the policy, which aims to position women as central to national growth, productivity and competitiveness. The minister noted that women make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and small business owners, underscoring the policy's economic rationale. Flagship initiatives such as EmpowerHer, WAVE 774 and DigitalHer are being used to scale inclusion and resilience among women. A Presidential High-Level Advisory Council has been established to coordinate financing from public, private and development sectors. The government has also declared 2026 the Year of Families and Social Development, linking it to women's economic advancement. The Affirmative Procurement Policy is being leveraged to create opportunities for women-owned businesses through government spending. Sen. Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, represented by Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, stressed the need to integrate the WEE Policy into national planning and budgeting systems. He said gender gaps in access to finance, markets and assets are constraining national productivity. Government is moving toward outcome-driven budgeting with gender-disaggregated results to track impact. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, represented by Osalobo Osemhenjie, acknowledged progress but cited persistent barriers including limited finance access, unpaid care work and data gaps.
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