The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment as a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to grow Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made this declaration while addressing participants at the Africa Hospitality and Event Management Continental (AHEM–C) Business Summit and Masterclass held in Abuja.
Speaking on the summit’s theme, “Upscaling Business Through Structure, Strategy, and Innovation,” the Minister described it as both timely and transformative, underscoring the critical role women play in driving innovation and enterprise across the nation.
She commended the hospitality and events industry for its dynamism, noting that Nigerian women have continued to excel in the sector by transforming creativity into thriving enterprises that generate employment and diversify the economy.
“If you educate and empower a woman, you empower a nation.
This industry is not just about service — it is about innovation, resilience, and leadership.
When structured and properly supported, it becomes a powerful engine of national prosperity,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated.
The Minister recalled her participation in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in China, held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, noting that just as President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his commitment to advancing women’s rights, President Bola Tinubu has made women’s empowerment a central pillar of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The excellence of Nigerian women cannot be underestimated.
Under Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, our mandate is clear — prosperity must not only be measured in GDP but in equity, inclusion, and empowerment,” she added.
Unveiling a major new initiative, the Minister announced the launch of the National Fellowship and Incubator for Women, a flagship programme designed to provide mentorship, access to capital, and business training for women entrepreneurs across the country.
According to her, the initiative will empower 10 million Nigerian women by 2030, particularly in high-growth, non-oil sectors — a move she described as “non-negotiable” in building the foundation for Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Addressing one of the most significant barriers to women’s advancement, the Minister identified the Care Economy and “time poverty” caused by unpaid domestic work as critical issues.
She pledged that government would invest in affordable, high-quality childcare and domestic services to enable women to pursue education, business, and leadership opportunities.
Highlighting the government’s grassroots strategy, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions – 774 (RH–SII–774) will deliver targeted empowerment initiatives across all Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
The framework, she explained, encompasses nine priority interventions, including agriculture, childcare, gender-based violence protection, clean energy, and women’s empowerment — all strategically aligned with national development goals.
Among the flagship programmes under this framework are:
Power Her 774, which deploys solar systems to enhance business productivity and safety for women entrepreneurs.
Clean Cooking Initiative, aimed at transitioning households to safe, LPG-based alternatives.
Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE), focused on transforming smallholder women farmers into successful agro-entrepreneurs.
“Women make up 70 percent of smallholder farmers yet earn far less. We must act now, not later,” the Minister emphasized.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Ogo Akabogu, Manager at the Bank of Industry (BOI), reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs through accessible funding and strategic partnerships.
“Our lending programmes are designed to help individuals and businesses acquire equipment and expand their operations sustainably.
I encourage participants to take advantage of these opportunities and engage the Bank to showcase their business potential,” she advised.
Earlier in her remarks, Miss Tolulope Akinlade, Convener of AHEM–C 2025, called for a united African movement to position the continent’s hospitality and events industry as a global powerhouse for creativity and growth.
“This is not just an event; this is the beginning of a movement — the dawn of Africa’s hospitality renaissance. The world will not only visit Africa; it will learn from her,” Akinlade declared.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), urged renewed investment in human capital, innovation, and collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry as a major driver of national economic growth.
Dr. Fagade noted that despite Nigeria’s vast cultural and natural endowments, tourism contributes less than 5 percent to GDP, a figure far below global averages.
To address this, he revealed that NIHOTOUR has launched the Mission 100 Initiative to train and certify thousands of Nigerians annually across hospitality and tourism value chains.
He added that the Institute has expanded training hubs across all geopolitical zones, introduced youth boot camps, and established partnerships with private academies to raise professional standards and competitiveness in the industry.
The AHEM–C Summit brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs united by a shared vision — to unlock the vast potential of women and the hospitality sector in building a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous Nigeria.
