Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has been honoured by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, during the second edition of Nigerian Women’s Day held in New York City.
The event took place on the sidelines of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) and brought together global leaders, diplomats, civil society advocates, entrepreneurs, artists and members of the Nigerian diaspora for dialogue, cultural celebration and high-level policy engagement.
Organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs under the leadership of Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the programme was themed “31 Years of Progress, Resilience, Impact and Renewed Hope.” It highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to advancing gender equality and strengthening women’s leadership in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In her keynote address, the minister outlined the Ministry’s Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII-774) framework, designed to reach women in all 774 local government areas of Nigeria. The initiative focuses on energy access, agriculture, digital inclusion, health and protection, creativity and innovation, leadership, education, child development and family resilience.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also issued a six-point call to action urging governments, development partners and civil society groups to invest strategically in women and girls.
“Women’s empowerment is not a social programme; it is an economic strategy, a security strategy and a development imperative,” she said.
A highlight of the event was a high-level fireside conversation between the minister and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, which explored Nigeria’s efforts to align national gender policies with the global agenda for gender equality.
The programme featured a welcome address by Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Chair of Women Radio WFM 91.7, who emphasized the importance of women’s leadership, innovation and international collaboration.
Participants also engaged in three panel sessions focusing on Global Leadership, Peace and Security for Social Impact; Women, Institutions and the Economy; and Positive Masculinity. The discussions examined women’s roles in governance, peacebuilding and economic leadership, while highlighting the role men can play in advancing gender justice.
Other notable participants included the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Chairman of the National Population Commission, Aminu Yusuf; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Emanso Emabong; Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aisha Abubakar Baju; and Olori Temitope Ogunwusi, among others.
The event also showcased African culture through music, dance and artistic performances. Internationally acclaimed artist Laolu Senbanjo delivered a live body art performance exploring human rights themes and challenging social stereotypes.
Organisers said the event reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to placing women, children and families at the centre of economic policy, social investment and national development planning.
The second edition of Nigerian Women’s Day concluded with a renewed call for stronger global collaboration to advance women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
