Nigeria women empowerment 2027 plan announced. FG aims to empower 10 million women, boosting financial literacy for economic growth

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Government of Nigeria has announced ambitious plans to empower 10 million women by 2027, a key component of its strategy to transform the nation into a $1tn economy by 2030.

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Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, revealed this initiative during a recent event commemorating International Women’s Day, themed ‘Accelerate Action—Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy & Inclusion.’

In a statement released by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasised the urgent need to enhance financial literacy and inclusion for women, highlighting its crucial role in informed economic decision-making.

“When women are financially literate, they can influence their own economic destiny, secure their families’ future, and become change-makers in society,” she stated.

The minister identified key barriers hindering women’s economic participation, including limited access to credit, exclusion from formal financial systems, and vulnerability to fraudulent schemes. She called for immediate interventions to address these challenges.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the significant role of Nigerian women in the economy, noting that they own approximately 40 per cent of small businesses in the country.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of SEC, Emomotimi Agama, underscored the critical role of women in the capital market and wealth distribution. He stressed that financial education is essential for their empowerment.

“The objective of this government is to empower women. We must educate women and bring them to the forefront of national recognition when it comes to the capital market,” Agama said.

He acknowledged that women are often victims of Ponzi schemes due to their efforts to provide for their families, calling for increased awareness and financial protection.

Agama commended the minister’s commitment to women’s empowerment and pledged a strong partnership between SEC and the Ministry of Women Affairs to drive financial literacy initiatives nationwide.

The SEC has also announced plans to train selected women in capital market activities through its training arm, the Nigerian Capital Market Institute.

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The Nigeria women empowerment 2027 plan represents a significant step towards gender equality and economic growth, aiming to unlock the potential of millions of Nigerian women.