The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for sustained investment in women, describing their economic empowerment as a key strategy for Nigeria’s economic transformation rather than a charitable intervention.
A statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media, Austine Elemue, quoted Mahmoud as making the call while delivering a goodwill message at the second national gender inclusion conference held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said women remain critical contributors to national development as entrepreneurs, farmers, professionals, innovators, employers and community leaders, despite continuing barriers to access to finance, markets, land, technology, skills and decision-making opportunities.
According to the minister, women’s economic empowerment requires more than social interventions, stressing the need for sustainable access to affordable finance, digital financial services, business development support, insurance and markets.
Mahmoud also called for stronger institutions, gender-responsive budgeting, reliable data and effective monitoring and evaluation of programmes targeted at women.
She emphasised the importance of involving women in decisions and policies that affect them, saying that “nothing about women should be designed without women.”
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The minister highlighted the commitment of the FCT Administration to inclusive development through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, social investment, community development and infrastructure.
She noted that infrastructure such as roads, transportation systems, markets, water supply, healthcare facilities, electricity and safe public spaces could significantly influence women’s ability to participate in economic activities.
Mahmoud urged the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and community leaders to play greater roles in removing barriers limiting women’s participation in the economy.
She also challenged stakeholders to move beyond policy resolutions and assess the success of gender inclusion initiatives based on measurable outcomes, including the amount of financing reaching women, institutional efficiency, programme coverage in underserved communities and the economic impact achieved.
The minister commended the office of the technical adviser to the president on economic and financial inclusion and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for convening stakeholders at the conference to develop practical approaches to translating gender inclusion policies into measurable economic outcomes.
Mahmoud expressed confidence that sustained collaboration and deliberate investment in women would strengthen families and communities while contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
