The Quiet Revolutionist
Toun Okewale Sonaiya
One year ago, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim fsi took the helm as Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and in that short time, she has orchestrated a quiet revolution for Nigerian women and children. With unwavering dedication and a commitment to substance over showmanship, Sulaiman-Ibrahim has delivered tangible results that are transforming lives across Nigeria. The Clean Cooking for Rural Women Initiative has saved countless lives by providing safer, cleaner cooking alternatives to rural women, while the WAVE Project is empowering women farmers with access to land, tools, credit and markets.
Under her leadership, the Ministry provided one-year free health insurance coverage for widows, ensuring they can access basic healthcare without financial strain, launched the Happy Woman App, a digital platform connecting women to empowerment resources, psycho-social support and community programs and championed women’s inclusion in leadership and governance, renewing momentum around the Reserved Seats for Women Bill. Minister Imaan’s impact extends beyond programs to policy and structural change. She has strengthened partnerships across sectors, from financial institutions to international organisations driving gender inclusion and climate resilience, ensured Nigeria’s voice is heard globally on women’s rights and development and spearheaded the National Plan to End Violence Against Children and the review of the Child Rights Act and National Child Policy.
Empowering Women Across Nigeria
As part of a broader effort to promote gender equality, expanding the Nigeria for Women scale-up project to all 36 states and the FCT is a smart move. This will provide financial inclusion, offer livelihood support, ensure social protection and establish Women Affinity Groups as permanent economic institutions, connecting women to formal finance, markets and public services.
A Legacy of Hope
In just one year, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has repositioned the Ministry of Women Affairs as a serious vehicle for national development. Her leadership has made a visible, measurable and deeply human impact, giving women and children across Nigeria real hope for a brighter future. As Nigeria continues to push toward gender equity, Minister Imaan’s steady hand and commitment to results-driven leadership will remain a beacon of hope for generations to come.
A Call for Action
The time is yesterday in driving Nigeria’s economic growth, in developing and building a more equitable Nigeria. Rallying behind Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim and supporting her efforts to empower more Nigerian women and girls is the right thing to do. To our sisters and men allies in the financial, banking and oil sectors, this is a golden opportunity to partner with her to make meaningful impacts and drive progress and development in our great nation.
To development partners, this is the opening to collaborate more with her to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no one behind. Together, we are build a brighter future for Nigeria.