President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Ms. Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi as the Director-General /Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) and the members of the Governing Council for an initial term of four (4) years.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the appointment, which takes effect from April 18, 2026, is in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.
President Tinubu also approved the constitution of the members of the Governing Council of the Centre as follows:
. Princess Joan Jummai Idonije, Chairman; Governing Council.
Other members are:
. Ms. Lois Auta,
. Hon. Jamila Sarki,
. Aisha Baiyee,
. Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, and
. Hon. Princess Anne Agom-Eze.
While congratulating the Director-General and members of the Governing Council on their appointments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his best wishes to them.
Signed:
Chris Ugwuegbulam
Head, Information & Public Relations
14th May, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Ms. Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi as the Director-General /Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) and the members of the Governing Council for an initial term of four (4) years.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the appointment, which takes effect from April 18, 2026, is in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.
President Tinubu also approved the constitution of the members of the Governing Council of the Centre as follows:
. Princess Joan Jummai Idonije, Chairman; Governing Council.
Other members are:
. Ms. Lois Auta,
. Hon. Jamila Sarki,
. Aisha Baiyee,
. Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, and
. Hon. Princess Anne Agom-Eze.
While congratulating the Director-General and members of the Governing Council on their appointments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his best wishes to them.
Signed:
Chris Ugwuegbulam
Head, Information & Public Relations
14th May, 2026
Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development on Wednesday 3rd April hosted a valedictory session tagged ‘Village Meeting’ as well as the DG’s induction into the Nigeria Women Hall of Fame in honour of Hon.Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir in recognition of her distinguished services and contributions to the growth of Nigerian women in the past five years.
The event was hosted at the foyer of the administrative block in the Centre, and it brought together senior management staff, directors, and staff of the Centre as well as friends/well-wishers of the DG and stakeholders in gender main streaming.
In her remarks, the acting director-general, Mrs Ebi Emezue described the session as both symbolic and significant since it provided an opportunity to reflect on the DG’s impactful leadership and the giant strides recorded in advancing the Centre’s objectives. She highlighted the DG’s role in repositioning the Centre with its re-naming and promoting staff welfare while she enhances Nigerian women visibility on the global stage.
An outstanding goodwill message was delivered by the Comrade Chairman, Mr. Taslim Atoyebi on behalf of the staff where he underscores the DG’s visionary leadership, open door policy and her commitment to staff welfare as well as institutional development of the Centre. Also, Chief Mrs Moji Makanjuola a veteran journalist and broadcaster commended the DG’s emphasis on innovation and excellence within the Centre as well as her efforts in promoting Nigeria strategic interest in women agenda nationally and internationally.
A citation was delivered by a prominent media personality, NAWOJ president emeritus Mrs Evenly Onyilo in honour of the Director-General who voluntarily resigned her appointment highlighted key achievements during her tenure, includes the articulation and re-naming of the Centre to Maryam Babangida National Centre for women development, actualization of the 3rs(Rebranding, Restructuring and Repositioning) as well as significant milestone in staff welfare.
In her response, the Director-general expressed deep appreciation to the Centre’s leadership, management staff and the staff for their cooperation and professionalism through out her tenure. She therefore reaffirms the importance of cooperation in building an egalitarian Centre and called for sustained institutional support to enable the Centre to effectively discharge its mandate to Nigerian women.
Highlights of the event are the induction of the DG into the Nigeria Hall of Fame and photo sessions with staff and well wishers.
E-signed
Nnamdi Iwuchukwu
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
MBNCWD
Date: 1st April 2026
In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agender, the Director-General, MBNCWD, Honourable Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir has trained over two hundred and fifty vulnerable women and youths in various vocational skills-fashion design, catering, ICT and solar installation. Out of this number, seventy trainees were empowered with sewing machines and cooking gases in Abuja while the rest will be empowered in Maiduguri-Borno state.
Speaking at the ceremony today at the foyer of the banquet hall in the Centre, Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir stated that theses trainings in various skills are part of her resolute to boost job creation and self-reliance among women and youths in Nigeria.
While appreciating the donors of these starter packs, the resilient MBNCWD boss made a passionate appeal to well spirited Nigerians to join her efforts in taking vulnerable Nigeria women and youths out of the streets with skills and empowerment to enable them to contribute to GDP of the nation. According to her, ’the government should not be allowed to do everything, she reiterated.’’
In her opening remark, the director of training and development, Mrs Ebi Emezue while noting the exhaustive efforts by the DG in achieving this success, she then, charged the trainees to put the starter packs to good use and it should not be sold. She further, called on well meaning Nigerians to collaborate with the Centre on training of women and youths in Nigeria.
In her goodwill message, the representative of the wife of the Yobe state government, Hajia Hafsat Buni acknowledged the commitment and sacrifice of the Director-General while urged the DG to continue with the giant stride. She was represented by Mr Ahmad Idris.
The highlight of the ceremony was the gifting of the starter packs to the trainees followed by the group photograph with dignitaries, trainees and the management staff of the Centre.
E-signed
Nnamdi Iwuchukwu
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
MBNCWD
Date: 13/01/2026
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.