The 25th Regular National Council on Women Affairs and Children Development is a testament to the synergy between the Federal Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Edo State Government. This collaboration embodies the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo, paving the way for impactful conferences that drive change initiatives.
The four-day event, hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, led by Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, focuses on nine thematic areas with a single purpose: championing a stronger and more inclusive Nigeria. These areas include Power Her 774, Women Agro Value Expansion (WAVE 774), National Child Advancement and Achievement Programmes (NCAAP-FutureNow), Digital Harmony (Digit Her), Her Safeguard, Empower Her, SheRun, HerSafe Haven, and Families First Initiative (FFI); initiatives targeted at millions of women, children, and families, aligning with the Renewed Hope Social Intervention Programmes.
President Tinubu’s administration has driven inclusive national development, protection, and social transformation through projects like Empower-Her, Girl Child and Gender Empowerment, Economic Empowerment and Livelihood support, Protection, inclusion, and grassroots intervention; while the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has empowered millions of women with financial literacy, business training, and livelihood opportunities through programmes like the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) and the Transformative Roadmap for Women, Children and Vulnerable Groups (2024-2027).
The ministry’s achievements include budgetary and institutional strengthening, economic empowerment of women, child protection, laws and frameworks, grassroots outreach, and vulnerable group support, aligning its projects with global frameworks, enhancing engagement with State Commissioners for Women Affairs to improve implementation and domestication of key policies.
Despite progress, malnutrition remains a persistent barrier to national growth and well-being. Statistics reveal 7.3 million adolescent girls and women of reproductive age are undernourished, and 12 million children under five are stunted. Empowering women is a strategic solution, as evidence shows they channel a greater share of income towards food, health, and education.
The Renewed Hope Agenda and the Edo SHINE Agenda align strongly, focusing on inclusion, human capital development, and social impact. By equipping women with financial resources, entrepreneurship skills, and access to markets, they can shift from being beneficiaries of aid to becoming engines of local prosperity, producers, innovators, and leaders in their communities.
Lois Otse Adams Founder, Udukhotse Foundation, Edo State
