Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the country’s leadership role in the global push for gender equality with a strong address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Speaking at the High-Level Meeting to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, she restated Nigeria’s commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, describing it as a “transformative vision” to end discrimination and empower women.
According to a statement by her Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Jonathan Eze, Sulaiman-Ibrahim outlined Nigeria’s progress, including improved school enrolment for girls, stronger laws against gender-based violence, women breaking barriers in leadership and business, and expanded opportunities in governance and science.
While acknowledging these gains, she highlighted persisting challenges such as systemic inequality, climate change, conflict, and the digital divide, which continue to affect women and girls globally.
She emphasized education as the strongest tool for empowerment and cited the Renewed Hope Women Agro-Value Expansion Programme, which aims to empower 10 million women across the agricultural value chain. She also reiterated Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence, survivor support systems, and cultural reorientation involving men and boys as allies of change.
To strengthen women’s participation in governance, she announced deliberate policies such as Special Reserved Seats to increase female representation in leadership and decision-making positions.
“The verdict of history is clear,” she declared. “Nations that empower women are more prosperous, peaceful, and resilient. Gender equality is not just a human right; it is an economic imperative, a social necessity, and the very foundation of sustainable development and peace.”
Marking three decades since the Beijing Conference, the minister urged nations to accelerate progress toward gender equality, warning that the 2030 target could otherwise become “a deferred dream.”
She added that Nigeria is embedding climate resilience and digital inclusion into its education system while advancing economic empowerment policies through the National Gender Policy, the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, and social impact programs aligned with Agenda 2050.
Concluding, she called on the global community to turn pledges into action:
“Let this 80th General Assembly be remembered for results, not rhetoric. Nigeria stands ready to work with nations, civil society, and the private sector to fulfill the promise of Beijing—for every woman, for every girl, everywhere.”
ADEOLA KUNLE
