Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that women will be at the forefront of the projected economic transformation of $ 29 billion from Africa.
He made this statement on Thursday in Abuja during the opening of the 2025 gender inclusion conference and the launch of the #Seisincluded project, aimed at joining gender gaps in finance and the economy in general.
This initiative seeks to advance gender equality and economic empowerment of women.
Shettima expressed a strong conviction that gender inclusion is not simply a rhetorical commitment but an cornerstone of the Nigerian National Development Agenda.
The conference, with the theme “Break the barriers, the creation of resilience for the economic and financial inclusion of sustainable women”, is based on the 2024 ASO agreement for economic and financial inclusion and underlines Nigeria's commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Objective 5: Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and all women and girls.
“We cannot build the Nigeria or Africa that we imagine without completely integrating women into our economic systems. Women are not just participating in our economy; They are leaders, innovative and the basis of sustainable development, ”said the vice president.
According to Shettima, the #Sheisincluded project is based on four key pillars: financial education and education, maternal medical care, gender -sensitive policies and programs, and broad economic opportunities for women.
He also announced that the initiative will reach the 774 areas of the local government in Nigeria to ensure that no woman is left behind.
“Our commitment to gender inclusion is not a cosmetic performance to placate progressives; It is a fundamental pillar of our national development agenda. Not only are we assuring Nigeria's women of their place on our collective trip, but we are creating paths to lead the load, ”said Shettima.
He explained that the project “It is not just about complying with the quotas, it is about unlocking all the potential of our people to promote the broader economic objectives of its excellence, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
The vice president said that the initiative will be headed by the Presidential Committee for Economic and Financial Inclusion, in association with the Ministry of Women's Affairs.
“To build an inclusive economic ecosystem where all Nigerians, regardless of gender, can contribute and benefit, we must redouble our efforts and align with global best practices. We must be relentless in our search for the objective of sustainable development 5, achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, ”he said.
He stressed that the two -day conference is not only a forum for discussion, but a way for serious reflection and practical strategy on how to build an inclusive nation. He urged the interested parties of the public and private sector to take the opportunity to describe the processable steps towards active participation in the gender inclusion agenda.
“I look forward to the recommendations that will arise from this conference, knowing that they will shape the future of gender inclusion in Nigeria,” added Vice President Shettima.
In his comments, the president of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Judge Kudard Kekere-Ekun, described the conference as an important milestone in the collective effort to break the barriers to empower women and promote inclusion.
She said that gender inclusion is a key facilitator of sustainable and central development to address poverty and foster economic growth. She emphasized that she should translate into financial independence, creation of wealth and leadership development for women in several sectors.
The CJN said that the Judiciary will work in association with interested parties to ensure that women's rights to access economic resources and property ownership, among others, are protected and are not subject to the dictates of individuals or cultural practices and obsolete stereotypes.
In an recorded message, the United Nations Undersecretary, Dr. Amina Mohammed, said the conference marked a critical step towards Nigeria's trip towards gender inclusion, the empowerment of women and the sustainable development objectives ( SDG).
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She declared that gender equality and inclusion are not only aspirations, but also basis for sustainable development, peace and progress throughout the world. He urged everyone to invest in women's empowerment, noting that when women are empowered, communities thrive, economies grow and societies advance.
Previously, the president's deputy director of the President (Vice President's Office), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, declared that the support of vice president Shettima to inclusive growth is aligned with everything he has done since he assumed the position and is essential for the agenda of The National Economic Council (NEC).
Hadejia said the conference “she has included” aims future efforts to integrate and empower women.
The Minister of Women and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, said the conference offers a unique opportunity to strengthen strategic frameworks to dismantle barriers to the realization of all programs and initiatives to empower women.
Similarly, Governor Uba Sani, from the state of Kaduna, declared that the objectives of the conference are aligned with the gender agenda and economic inclusion of their state government, attacking women and vulnerable groups through state policy of Kaduna about the empowerment of women.
He highlighted the state government programs that affect women in agriculture, trade and several sectors of MSME, which emphasizes that the time to eliminate all barriers for empowerment and inclusion of women is now and must be supported by All interested parties.
Jigawa's governor, Umar Namadi, said that empowering women is crucial for social progress and a step in the right direction that must be supported. He declared that Jigawa has positioned himself as a champion and model for female empowerment in Nigeria.
He pointed out that the education of girls in the state is free at all levels and is closely monitored, emphasizing that this policy aims to stimulate and improve the rural economy.
The Governor of the State of Edo, on Monday Okpebholo, praised the initiative, describing it as a call to action. He pointed out that his administration is committed to policies that promote the inclusion and empowerment of women to take advantage of their total productive potential.
Giving an overview of the conference, the president's technical advisor on economic and financial inclusion, Dr. Nurudeen Zaur Barriers and build resilience, which leads to financial inclusion throughout the country.
The founder and GMD of the Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Mr. Tosin Eniolorundo, emphasized that inclusion must be fundamental for the strategy to build an economy of billion natos and, therefore, the initiative “she is included” must be supported.
He said that inclusion is not a charity, but an economic imperative, and pointed out that the empowerment of women promotes economic growth. He said Moniepoint remains committed to realizing the ideals of women's inclusion.
In his comments, the president of the CEO body and GMD/CEO of Banks of the UBA Group, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, praised the vice president's office for organizing the first conference on gender inclusion, qualifying the testimony of President Tinubu's commitment of promoting an inclusive society.
He emphasized the need for all interested parties to actively empower women, pointing out that doing it unlocks all the potential of society and the economy, and that when women are successful, families thrive and the nation prosper.