Presidential launch of the Nigeria for Women Programme scale-up

I am honoured to share Katsina State’s experience and lessons from the implementation of the Nigeria for Women Program, a project that has demonstrated the power of targeted investments in women’s livelihoods to drive not only economic growth, but also social stability and security.

In Katsina State, the World Bank supported Nigeria for Women Program is currently being implemented in three Local Government Areas, focusing on improving the livelihoods of vulnerable women through collective action, financial inclusion, skills development, and access to productive assets. The impact of this intervention has been significant, particularly among women in rural and underserved communities.

Recognizing the transformative nature of this project, the Katsina State Government took a deliberate decision to scale up the NFWP model statewide. While the World Bank supports implementation in three LGAs, the Katsina State Government is funding the expansion of the same approach to the remaining thirty-one Local Government Areas, using World Bank–approved implementation strategies, safeguards, fiduciary systems, and monitoring frameworks. This ensures consistency, transparency, and sustainability across all LGAs.

One of the most important lessons from our experience is that when women are economically empowered, there is a noticeable and drastic decline in insecurity and social vulnerability. Empowered women invest in peace within their households and communities. They are better positioned to guide and nurture their children, instilling positive values, discipline, and resilience in those who will become the leaders of tomorrow.

We have also observed that empowered women are more committed and able to support their children’s education, ensuring school attendance, reducing dropout rates, and strengthening human capital development. In this way, women’s economic empowerment becomes a powerful tool for breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and instability.

Furthermore, in Katsina State, we are deliberately linking the Women Affinity Groups formed under the Nigeria for Women Program to the State Health Insurance Scheme. This is to ensure that participating women and members of their households have access to affordable healthcare. By reducing out-of-pocket health expenditures, women can reinvest more of their income into productive activities, nutrition, and education, thereby strengthening household resilience.

This integrated approach combining livelihoods, health protection, education support, and community ownership has proven to be both effective and sustainable.

Your Excellency,

The Nigeria for Women Program has reaffirmed that empowering women is not only a social intervention; it is a strategic investment in security, economic stability, and national development. As this program is scaled up across the country, Katsina State remains fully committed to sustaining and deepening its impact.

On behalf of the people and women of Katsina State, I commend the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the World Bank for their leadership and partnership. We stand ready to continue working collaboratively to ensure that no woman is left behind.

Thank you.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.