Women to Play Key Role in Tinubu’s One Trillion Dollar Economy Target

Women to Play Key Role in Tinubu’s One Trillion Dollar Economy Target – Minister
Nigeria’s economy is currently valued at about 500 billion dollars
Sulaiman Ibrahim praised President Tinubu’s “unprecedented commitment” to women’s development

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, has urged Nigerian women to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that the government is determined to support women in becoming billionaire entrepreneurs and farmers as part of efforts to achieve a one trillion dollar economy.

President Tinubu has consistently highlighted women’s empowerment as a central pillar of his Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging to create an enabling environment for female entrepreneurs, farmers, and professionals.

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Nigeria’s economy is currently valued at about 500 billion dollars, but the President has set a bold target of doubling it to one trillion dollars within a few years.

Speaking during a working visit to the Safe Centre and Women Development Centre in Asero, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, the minister urged women to step up campaigns against human trafficking, which she described as a destructive menace claiming the lives of young Nigerian girls deceived with fake job offers abroad.

“Our daughters are scattered across different countries, trafficked under the guise of enticing employment opportunities. We must value our daughters and protect them. There are many great opportunities here in Nigeria. If they all leave, who will build the country?” she asked.

Sulaiman Ibrahim praised President Tinubu’s “unprecedented commitment” to women’s development, pointing out that his government has consistently increased budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Women Affairs, unlike in the past when women’s empowerment was not given serious attention.

“President Bola Tinubu is not a man of handouts. He believes in building women’s capacity. With his renewed hope initiatives, we are entering what I call ‘women o’clock.’ Very soon, we will see the rise of women billionaires, farmers, and entrepreneurs as Nigeria moves toward the one trillion dollar economy target,” she said.

The minister commended the resilience of Nigerian women, describing them as hardworking, visionary, and dependable. She encouraged them to seize current opportunities to contribute to the nation’s progress socially, economically, and politically.

She also praised the Ogun State Government for prioritising women’s welfare through the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ilaro, and Ijebu Ode, as well as the Women’s Development Centre. According to her, these facilities are gradually becoming models for other states to emulate.

During her visit, Sulaiman Ibrahim donated bags of rice and two million naira to support women-focused initiatives in the state.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Adijat Adeleye, explained that the referral centres were intentionally situated within the Women Development Centre to enable survivors of gender-based violence to heal while gaining vocational skills and financial independence.

“At the centre, survivors arrive in pain but do not remain defined by it. Their wounds are treated, their voices restored, and their lives rebuilt. When a woman leaves, she is not only healed but also empowered to embrace entrepreneurship and independence,” she said.

Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, wife of Governor Dapo Abiodun, also applauded the minister’s visit, assuring that Ogun women would continue to support President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu in their efforts to empower women and strengthen families.

Sulaiman Ibrahim, who previously served as National Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, has consistently spoken on the need for women to be positioned as wealth creators and key players in innovation, agriculture, and industry.

The minister emphasised that community-based structures like referral centres and women’s development centres are vital in linking social welfare with economic empowerment, ensuring that survivors of violence, vulnerable women, and girls are not excluded from Nigeria’s growth journey.

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