Northwest govs unite in Katsina to scale up women empowerment project

By Fauziyya Lawal, Katsina

The Katsina State Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the World Bank, on Tuesday, July 2, 2025 hosted the Northwest Nigeria for Women Project NFWP Scale-Up Summit. The high level gathering brought together key stakeholders under the theme “Empowering Her: Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Regional Collaboration.”

The Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, delivered a keynote address, describing the summit as a defining chapter in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive prosperity. She emphasized that the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up NFWP-SU is the country’s largest coordinated initiative to place women at the center of sustainable development.“This summit is not just about scaling a project,” she said.

“It is about institutionalizing a future where women are economically empowered, socially secure and politically visible.”She revealed that 32 states have already signed onto the project, with Katsina and Ekiti states leading in community level implementation through Women Affinity Groups WAGs. These groups, she said have increased household income and reduced dependence on informal credit, particularly in pilot states.

Imaan cited EFInA’s 2023 data showing the Northwest as having the highest financial exclusion rate at 47%, describing it as a wake up call to scale gender responsive interventions. She also announced a new initiative under the Renewed Hope Social Impact and Advancement Project for Women, Children and the Vulnerable aimed at leveraging blended finance to expand support for women led groups and cooperatives.

Commending Governor Dikko Umar Radda for his administration’s gender inclusive policies, the Minister praised the 40% allocation to women in agricultural empowerment, the establishment of women affairs desks across all 34 LGAs and a minimum 30% inclusion in economic interventions. “This is indeed a HeForShe Governor,” she declared.

The Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda expressed gratitude to the Minister and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for bringing the summit to Katsina and to the World Bank for its continued partnership in transforming the lives of Nigerian women.He lauded the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Katsina State, Hadiza Yar’adua for her unwavering dedication to implementing the NFWP at the grassroots level.

Governor Radda reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to strengthen gender focused policies and expand opportunities for women across all sectors.“As a government, we are fully committed to supporting every initiative that promotes women’s participation in economic growth and social development,” he said. “This project is not just a federal agenda, it is our agenda too and Katsina will continue to lead by example.”

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Mathew Verghis, praised the collaborative efforts driving the NFWP’s success. He noted that the Bank remains committed to providing both technical and financial support, not only to strengthen institutional framework but to ensure that women at the grassroots level benefit meaningfully. “We are building systems that enable women to save, invest and grow their businesses sustainably,” he stated.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’adua described the summit as a call to action, noting that women across the North are not asking for sympathy but for opportunity, skills and space to lead.She called for greater access to finance for women led cooperatives and urged stakeholders to develop practical, inclusive solutions that empower women across all demographics, including those in rural communities, those living with disabilities, widows and displaced women.“We must change the narrative,” she said. “Women have the discipline to manage resources, they just need the access and trust.”

Participants at the summit included delegates from across northern states, representatives of the World Bank, federal and state officials, traditional leaders, development partners, and women beneficiaries. Discussions focused on inclusive finance, collective savings models, skill-building, and policy reforms to improve the social and economic status of women.