The Federal Government has set a target to transition one million households from firewood-based cooking to clean, sustainable energy as part of its climate action initiatives.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, during a press briefing in Abuja, marking her first 100 days in office. She highlighted the initiative as a key component of Nigeria’s gender-responsive climate action, emphasizing the crucial role women play in advocating for climate solutions and leading adaptation efforts.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also underscored Nigeria’s participation in COP29 in Azerbaijan as an opportunity to engage the global community on gender-inclusive climate policies.
Beyond environmental sustainability, the minister outlined the government’s broader goal of empowering 10 million women by 2027, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy. To achieve this, the Ministry of Women Affairs is implementing several initiatives, including the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, supported by the World Bank. This program aims to equip 4.5 million women with financial literacy, business development skills, and cooperative training to enhance their economic contributions.
Additionally, the ministry has launched the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme in collaboration with WEMA Bank, offering vocational and business training to 500,000 women. The first phase, currently underway in Kano, is training 2,500 women in various entrepreneurial skills to foster financial independence.
Efforts to improve women’s access to finance are also in progress, with the establishment of a National Microfinance Framework aimed at bridging the financial gap for women entrepreneurs. This framework will provide affordable credit and gender-responsive financial services, empowering women to grow their businesses and contribute to national development.
To further support women and vulnerable groups, the ministry has introduced a food intervention program that provides financial assistance and backs women-led agricultural projects.
In addition, a nationwide campaign has been launched to distribute menstrual hygiene kits to 10,000 girls, addressing period poverty and supporting their education and well-being.
Dr. Suwaiba Sa’id-Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, also encouraged women to seize available empowerment opportunities. She praised Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s dedication to tackling critical issues affecting Nigerian women and girls, such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and access to education.