The Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to protecting and empowering families, as Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2025 International Day of Families.
In a statement signed by the minister and released by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the theme of this year’s commemoration: “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development.” She described the theme as a call to reposition the family not only as a private sanctuary but as a national development priority.
“Families are not secondary but central. It is in the family that values are formed, futures are shaped, peace is cultivated, and hope is nurtured,” she said. “To build a just, equitable, and prosperous society, we must first secure the womb from which all societies are born — the family.”
She praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued prioritization of women, children, the vulnerable, and family cohesion through the Renewed Hope Agenda. The minister said the President’s policy actions have rekindled national conscience and renewed commitment to the family as the most sacred institution.
“As the world prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs is leading efforts to position the family as a driver of resilient and sustainable societies,” she stated. “Our vision is clear: a Nigeria where no child is violated, no woman is silenced, and no family is left behind.”
Acknowledging the growing challenges faced by families—especially in urban areas—such as rising living costs, insecurity, housing shortages, and weakening social bonds, Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced several strategic initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda to address these issues:
-
Targeted Outreach Programme: To inform the development of a National Framework for Family Cohesion in collaboration with states, the FCT, NGOs, development partners, and traditional leaders.
-
National Guidelines for the Provision of Alternative Care for Children: A framework to protect children outside their natural homes, complementing the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC).
-
National Family Strengthening and Development Programme (NFSP): A flagship, community-driven initiative to tackle poverty, domestic violence, and weak support systems, tailored to the needs of each local government area.
The minister also announced the official inauguration of the Committee to Develop the National Framework for Family Cohesion and highlighted the scale-up of the Nigerian for Women Programme, which aims to reach millions of women and families across the country.
She concluded with a call to action, urging all government agencies, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, development partners, private sector actors, and the media to work together in support of Nigerian families.
“A nation that invests in its families builds more than homes — it builds legacies,” she said. “Let us continue to protect families with law and love, with policy and purpose. Every heartbeat matters, every voice is heard, and every dream is nurtured.”
ADEOLA KUNLE
