The Federal Government has restated its firm commitment to strengthening systems and deepening social impact for women, children, families, and other vulnerable groups as the 25th National Council on Women Affairs and Child Development concluded in Benin City, Edo State.
The five-day event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, brought together Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and development partners from all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
This year’s theme, “Strengthening Systems and Deepening Social Impact: Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda for Women, Children, Families and Other Vulnerable Groups,” emphasized collaboration, accountability, and sustainable empowerment.
Speaking during the closing session, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through evidence-based policies and intergovernmental collaboration.
“We are committed to building stronger institutions and implementing sustainable programs that empower women and protect children. Our focus is on results, accountability, and inclusion,”
— Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs.
Over the course of the meeting, delegates reviewed 129 memoranda and adopted critical resolutions, including:
The domestication of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy in all states;
The upgrading of Nutrition Desks to full Departments in Ministries of Women Affairs; and
The strengthening of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) data systems to enhance prevention and response mechanisms nationwide.
The Council ended with a renewed pledge from all stakeholders to deepen collaboration and drive inclusive growth, ensuring that women, children, and families remain at the center of Nigeria’s social and economic development.
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for hosting the 25th National Council and to development partners including UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other key stakeholders for their continuous support in advancing gender equality and social inclusion across the nation.
E-signed
Nnamdi Iwuchukwu
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
MBNCWD
Date: 14/11/2025
In her quest to empower women and hold their rights in Nigeria, the Director-General, Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), Honourable Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir has inaugurated a competent team of the Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in the Centre in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC).
Inaugurating the team today, Wednesday 10th September at the DG’s Boardroom, Dr Bashir stated that the establishment of ACTU is a proactive step towards nurturing a transparent environment where decisions are made in the best interest of Nigeria. According to her, this unit serves as a pillar of support in our mission to implement best practice in service and uphold the tenets of accountability, she asserted.’’
Expressing her gratitude to the Chairman, ICPC and the dedicated officials for their unwavering support and collaboration in bringing the unit to life, the MBNCWD boss assured that the set-out standard will not only benefit the Centre but will serve as an encouraging model for others to follow.
Urging all to reflect on the roles in combating corruption and fostering a culture of transparency, the DG call on all to build a better, more equitable future for all Nigerians.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Chairman, ICPC, Mrs Mutiat Musa, the desk officer overseeing the Centre while thanking the DG for her support in facilitating the inauguration of the unit, also emphasised that the unit will function as an internal mechanism to identify and address the systemic weaknesses while ensuring compliance and ethical standards in the Centre.
The newly inaugurated ACTU Chairman in the Centre, Mr Olawale Fakoya while accepting his nomination assured that their inauguration is a solemn commitment to upholding the tenets of integrity, accountability and transparency in the Centre. According to him, ’our mission is clear: to champion a culture of honesty and ethical conduct at every level of the MBNCWD. We will work diligently to ensure that our operations are transparent and our processes accountable, he stated.’’
Noting that the task is not for the ACTU members alone but a collective responsibility that requires the cooperation of everyone, Mr Fakoya therefore call on all stakeholders to join in this onerous task of eliminating corruption.
The highlight of the event is the inauguration and induction ceremony of the underlisted members of the ACTU as follows- Olawale Fakoya-Chairman, Amina Sadiq Umaru, Jummai Modu, Dalami Dangana, Azumi Kwache. Kolo Mohammed, Bagudu Aliyu, Wasini Samuel Jacob and Dr Azubike Ogu.
E-signed
Nnamdi Iwuchukwu
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
MBNCWD
Date: 15/09/2025
In a bold and strategic move in ensuring the protection of Nigerian children from abuse, neglect and exploitation, the Director-General, Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Honourable Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir has commended the leadership of the House of Assembly for prioritising the introduction of two key bills, one to establish a Child Rights/ Welfare Commission and create the National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency.
The Director-General gave this commendation today, Wednesday at NASS complex in Abuja during an interaction session. She assured of her support as she revealed that the bills are very crucial steps toward protecting Nigerian Children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The elated MBNCWD boss praised the bills for creating dedicated institutions with clear mandates and inclusive governance structures for the protection of Nigerian Children and she reiterated her unwavering commitment in partnering with stakeholders to build a safer and more inclusive environment for our children in Nigeria.
Key Recommendations are as follows-
Inclusion of the Federal Ministry of Health on the Commission’s Board,
Ensuring gender balance and gender-neutral language,
Implementing screening measures to prevent child abusers from working with children.
Nnamdi Iwuchukwu
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
It with a heart full with gratitude to Almighty ALLAH that I thank our distinguished invited guests for finding time to be part of this auspicious occasion. I also want to use this opportunity to congratulate the 43 graduating students from Avutu who have participated in the various Vocational/ICT Skills Training Programmes of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.
The courses they participated in includes: Hospitality and Tourism, ICT, Plumbing and Piping, Electrical Installation, Interior Decoration, Fashion and Garment making. This clearly shows that vocational skills training in Nigeria is very dynamic and could prove to be a source of foreign exchange earner, with a steady stream of competent young aspirants with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes, capable of exploring and exploiting the industry’s potentials.
We are very proud of the strides of the Avutu Community Skills Acquisition Foundation in taking this initiative to train youths from their community and empower them. We congratulate the resilience of the Avutu Community Skills Acquisition Foundation and encourage you to keep it up. We also commensurate with you on the passing on of Barrister Kenneth who initiated the discussion for this training with the Centre. We encourage other communities to replicate this initiative in their communities.
The Centre vigorously pursues programmes aimed at upholding and promoting the empowerment of women/men, boys and girls. In this regard, the programmes are structured to give the beneficiary a voice and confidence to cope in an environment where competition is the order of the day and innovation is needed to stay afloat. By this, the Centre is contributing to raise a viable and skilled workforce to meet the challenges of unemployment in the country.
Permit me to inform you that the participants of this training are made upof University Graduates, school leavers and entrepreneurs. What this shows is the fact that vocational skills are fundamental in resolving the problem of unemployment in the Country. Our greatest challenge in assisting our students to set up their own businesses is funding opportunities. We are therefore calling on agencies with access to windows of funding to partner with us in bridging this gap.
Today, I am delighted to say that these young men and women here have proved themselves by exhibiting skills and dedication through their active participation in their theoretical, practical and extra-curricular activities including outdoor games and other competitions. Hence, they are being awarded Trade Test certification in their various identified areas of skills, alongside the Centre’s Certificate.
I therefore wish to congratulate all the 43 young men and women who have successfully completed their training and I urge you all to justify the confidence reposed on you by making good use of the skills you have gained.
Once again distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you are most welcome to the Centre of Excellence and Sustainable Women Development.
Thank you all for your attention.