The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on Saturday in Abuja said that investing in women remains one of the most important drivers of societal progress. She made the remark at the launch of a book titled From Margin to Mainstream, Volume 2: Towards Inclusive Governance, written by Nikky Onyeri, a Nigerian cancer treatment advocate. The event also doubled as the author’s 60th birthday celebration and the official unveiling of her new organisation, Rise Up Women Initiative.
Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim said she is committed to supporting any initiative that promotes development for Nigerian women. She explained that the Renewed Hope Women Agenda under President Bola Tinubu aims to create opportunities that help women reach their full potential. Commending the author, she said the book recognises the role women play in society, adding, “I will continue to project women’s plight to the world.”
The minister highlighted several programmes already running under the ministry. She said the Happy Woman App connects women to resources, mentorship, and opportunities for both personal and professional growth across the country. She added that the Women and Youth Value Enhancement initiative promotes entrepreneurship, vocational training, and access to finance to help women and young people build sustainable livelihoods.
According to her, the Women’s Resource and Innovation Centre serves as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and support for women-led businesses in different sectors. She also explained that the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions deliver targeted support to every local government area to ensure women benefit from inclusive governance and development efforts. “These efforts are guided by President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on inclusive governance, economic empowerment, and social development,” she said. She added that it is time to amplify the voices of marginalised groups who have long been overlooked.
Earlier, Asabe Vilita-Bashir, director-general of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development and the book reviewer, praised Ms Onyeri for documenting the transformative journey of Nigerian women. She said the book aligns with the mission of the current administration, noting, “By the time you read through all pages of the book, chapter by chapter, you will appreciate the writer because it is in line with the core mission of this administration for women.”
She added that the administration has introduced many programmes that recognise women as key contributors to national development and has created space for them to thrive.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Mohammed Ndarani-Mohammed (SAN), described the book as a moment of intellectual triumph and said it serves as a practical tool to equip women with knowledge, skills, and confidence.
Ms Onyeri, who founded the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation, said the event was also a thanksgiving for surviving breast cancer three decades ago after being given six months to live.
She said the programme featured health screenings and empowerment sessions for vulnerable women and thanked President Tinubu for increasing women’s representation in governance. She added that plans are underway to empower more women to start businesses next year and noted her intention to advance her political career to support women further.
