FG, World Bank call for urgent acceleration of women empowerment efforts in Nigeria – The Sun Nigeria

From Uche Usim, Washington DC

The World Bank and the federal government are calling for an urgent acceleration of women empowerment efforts in Nigeria, as they are the fulcrum on which a buoyant economy revolves.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, while speaking on World Bank’s Gender Strategy 2030 on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank’s annual meetings in Washington DC on Thursday, lamented that the country was not yet on the right track in terms of improving women’s lives, achieving social justice, or ensuring equal access to opportunities.

Addressing the state of gender equality, Edun noted that while there have been deliberate efforts, progress remains slow and inadequate to meet the nation’s goals for women’s economic inclusion and development.

With women accounting for nearly half of Nigeria’s population, Edun stressed the economic necessity of empowering women.

“Imagine flying a plane with two engines but only using one. You can go farther, faster, and higher if you empower both. The same is true for our economy—by empowering women, we can propel Nigeria’s growth to new heights,” Edun remarked.

He highlighted the government’s National Action Plan for Women’s Economic Empowerment, launched to provide structured support for women through affinity groups.

Over 22,000 women are currently benefitting from these groups, which offer training, funding, and life skills, enabling women to support each other as they build businesses and improve their livelihoods. These groups have become critical entry points for government and donor initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment.

Edun also pointed to efforts aimed at addressing the challenges young girls face, particularly between the ages of 10 and 20.

Supported by the World Bank, programmes are in place to ensure girls remain in education, while also providing entrepreneurial training and financial support to help them overcome cultural barriers such as early marriage and gender-based violence. The goal is to equip young women with the tools they need to succeed in life and business.

In addition, Nigeria’s digital economy is being leveraged to empower women through a $600 million Digital and Creative Enterprise programme, targeting young women aged 15 to 35. With 30% of the funding set aside for women, the initiative provides startup capital, technology training, and skills development, creating pathways for women to thrive in the growing digital and creative sectors.

Despite these initiatives, Edun acknowledged that there is still much work to be done.

By 2030, the World Bank Group aims to: enable 300 million more women to use broadband, unlocking essential services, financial services, education, and job opportunities; support 250 million women with social protection programs, focusing especially on the poorest and most vulnerable; provide 80 million more women and women-led businesses with capital, addressing a critical constraint to entrepreneurship growth.

“When we increase women’s economic participation, it not only boosts the global economy but also strengthens families and communities,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group.

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