President Bola Tinubu has announced a massive scale-up of the Nigeria for Women Programme, aiming to empower 25 million women across the federation.
The initiative, which transitioned from a successful pilot phase involving one million beneficiaries across six states, was officially expanded during a presidential launch at the State House yesterday.
Central to this expansion is the introduction of the “Happy Woman App”, a secure digital platform designed to bridge the gap between Nigerian women and the resources they need to thrive.
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The platform operates as a one-stop shop, providing direct financial linkages that give users access to credit and capital.
It also expands market access by connecting local entrepreneurs to wider consumer bases, while offering skill acquisition through digital training and vocational support.
In addition, the platform streamlines access to government services, including social welfare and other essential support systems.
Representing the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that women’s inclusion is not just a social goal but a national necessity.
“A nation that relegates its women is a nation bound for implosion,” he stated, asserting that the administration is placing women at the heart of national planning to ensure sustainable growth.
In a strategic policy shift, Tinubu designated 2026 as the “Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria.”
This move follows a diplomatic engagement in Turkey earlier this year, focusing on strengthening family cohesion and social welfare.
The President called on international partners, specifically the World Bank, to bolster their technical and financial support for the scale-up.
“Digital inclusion is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective service delivery,” he added.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Sulaiman Ibrahim, described the project as one of the most ambitious empowerment schemes in Nigerian history.
She highlighted that women are now viewed as “central drivers” of the economy rather than peripheral beneficiaries.
The event also marked a global milestone with the launch of Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, making Nigeria one of the few nations to reach this stage of implementation.
Support for the initiative came from a broad range of stakeholders.
The World Bank, through its Regional Representative, Robert Chase, noted that investing in women remains the most impactful investment any nation can make.
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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also lent its support, with its Director, Uche Amaonwu, emphasising that empowering women directly reduces household insecurity and the prevalence of disease.
At the subnational level, state governments pledged full cooperation through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with Katsina State alone earmarking ₦4 billion in support of the project.
