The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has affirmed that Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is implementing deliberate, family-focused policies as part of its national development strategy.
Speaking during the ministerial session of the International Family Forum (IFF) in Türkiye, which featured 26 ministerial participants, Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that Nigeria is repositioning the care economy by strengthening caregiving systems and protecting vulnerable populations through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, the minister highlighted that these efforts reflect the government's commitment to placing families at the forefront of national development—an approach she described as unprecedented.
She acknowledged the growing challenges faced by families globally, such as urbanization, digital exposure, economic pressures, migration, population explosion, humanitarian crises, pandemics, and shifting societal values that threaten the sanctity and structure of family life. These realities, she explained, have compelled Nigeria to invest in protective and transformative family-oriented policies.
“It is indeed a rare privilege to address this distinguished gathering as we celebrate the 2025 United Nations International Day of Families under the theme, ‘Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development’. This theme underscores the collective commitment of governments to adopt sustainable, family-centered development,” she said.
The minister outlined several proactive steps taken by Nigeria to enhance family wellbeing:
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National Framework for Family Cohesion: Designed to address global family-related challenges and integrate family-centered policies into national interventions.
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National Family Strengthening and Development Programme (NFSP): A community-driven initiative aimed at tackling poverty, domestic violence, and social instability within families.
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Committee for Family Cohesion: Established to reinforce the national framework and drive inter-agency collaboration.
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Nigeria for Women Programme: Focused on enhancing women's protection and their roles within families and communities.
In a move that received applause from delegates, the minister announced the launch of the National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children, which ensures appropriate care for vulnerable children. She said these guidelines align with the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children, also recently launched by the Nigerian government.
“Let us not only reflect on the challenges before us but seize the opportunity to co-create solutions that empower and safeguard families worldwide,” she urged.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that globalization should serve as a platform to reinforce family values, not erode them, and should promote inclusive and sustainable cultural models.
She also affirmed Nigeria's readiness to partner with other countries to develop a global framework for family resilience, and announced Nigeria's support for a Joint Declaration on safeguarding families, with plans to present the shared vision to multilateral platforms, including the United Nations.
“In closing, Nigeria calls on multilateral institutions to increase investment in family policies, establish funding mechanisms for family-centered social protection, and integrate family well-being into the global sustainable development agenda. This is essential to achieving our shared goals,” she concluded.
ADEOLA KUNLE
