Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times | July 2, 2025
The Katsina State Government has hosted a high-level regional summit aimed at accelerating women’s economic and employment opportunities under the Federal Government’s Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), with support from the World Bank.
Held at the Banquet Hall of the Katsina State Government House on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the summit brought together senior officials and delegates from across the North-West, including Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, and Ogun states, alongside representatives from the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the World Bank, represented by Mr. Mackell.
Themed “Empowering Her: Advancing Women’s Economic and Employment Opportunities through Regional Collaboration,” the summit convened state commissioners for women affairs, agency heads, and NFWP focal officers from participating states.
In his keynote address, Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment through policy reform and targeted investment.
“Over 33,000 women across three local government areas in Katsina have benefited from the NFWP,” Radda revealed, pledging continued state funding to scale the initiative further. “This is not just a meeting. It is a declaration that women are central to sustainable development. We must build systems that enable their growth, leadership, and transformation of society.”
Governor Radda called on other states to institutionalise practical policies to ensure continuity of the programme—through training, access to credit, and collaboration with organisations and financial institutions.
Federal Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, lauded North-West governors for prioritising women’s issues, announcing plans to expand the NFWP to 32 states, potentially reaching 4.5 million women with a $540 million investment.
“This isn’t just an aid programme—it’s a strategic national investment to drive real change,” she said.
The Minister commended Governor Radda for allocating ₦1 billion in 2024 to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and ₦4 billion in 2025 to support women's economic self-reliance initiatives. She noted that 47% of North-West residents currently lack access to formal financial services—an issue limiting women’s economic inclusion.
She also introduced a new initiative: the Renewed Hope Social Impact and Advancement Project for Women, Children, and the Vulnerable, aimed at attracting private investment and foundation support for women’s cooperatives and value-chain creation.
Katsina State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua, credited the World Bank and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for their critical support in implementing the NFWP.
“The project has demonstrated that when women are given opportunities, they lead and drive real development,” she said, urging greater access to funding and training for rural women, particularly widows, the elderly, and displaced populations.
“We must stop focusing on what women can’t do. Every time they’re given a chance, they prove they can succeed,” she added, praising Governor Radda’s inclusive approach to leadership.
The summit featured key stakeholders, including the Deputy Governors of Jigawa and Zamfara, representatives of the Governors of Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, and Ogun states, and top officials from the Federal Budget Ministry and the World Bank.
The event concluded with a united declaration: national development cannot be achieved without giving women full and equal opportunities.
“This is a call for unity. We are building a nation where every woman can live, grow, and thrive,” said one of the delegates.
With the success of the summit, Katsina has positioned itself at the forefront of efforts to transform the lives of women across Nigeria—setting a strong example for national economic and social inclusion.
