Women Will Lead Africa’s $29trn Economic Ambition, Says VP Shettima

** Launches project #SheIsIncluded to bridge gender gaps in finance, economy

By: Our Reporter

In a move to advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that women will be at the forefront of Africa’s projected $29 trillion economic transformation.

He expressed strong conviction that gender inclusion is not merely a rhetorical commitment but a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development agenda.

Senator Shettima stated this on Thursday in Abuja when he declared open the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference and launched Project #SheIsIncluded to bridge gender gaps in finance and the broader economy.

The conference with the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” builds on the 2024 Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

“We cannot build the Nigeria or Africa we envision without fully integrating women into our economic systems. Women are not just participants in our economy; they are leaders, innovators, and the bedrock of sustainable development,” the Vice President stated.

According to VP Shettima, Project #SheIsIncluded is built on four key pillars of education and financial literacy, maternal healthcare, gender-sensitive policies and programmes, and expanded economic opportunities for women.

He also announced that the initiative will reach all 774 local government areas across Nigeria to ensure that no woman is left behind.

“Our commitment to gender inclusion is not a cosmetic performance to placate the sensibilities of progressives; it is a fundamental pillar of our national development agenda. We are not just assuring the women of Nigeria of their place in our collective journey—we are creating the pathways for them to lead the charge,” VP Shettima said.

He explained that the project “is not just about meeting quotas—it is about unlocking the full potential of our people to drive the broader economic goals of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”

The Vice President noted that the initiative will be spearheaded by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion in partnership with the Ministry of Women 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 pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 5—achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls,” he affirmed.

He emphasised that the two-day conference is more than just a forum for discussion as it is an avenue for serious reflection and practical strategising on how to build an inclusive nation. He urged both public and private sector stakeholders to take the opportunity to outline actionable steps towards active participation in the gender inclusion agenda.

“I look forward to the recommendations that will emerge from this conference, knowing that they will shape the future of gender inclusion in Nigeria,” VP Shettima added.

In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere- Ekun, said the conference was an important milestone in the collective effort to outline ways of breaking barriers to empowering women and promoting inclusion.

She said gender inclusion was a key enabler of sustainable development and central to addressing poverty and fostering economic growth, noting that it should translate into financial independence, wealth creation, and leadership development for women across different sectors.

The CJN assured that the judiciary will work in partnership with stakeholders to ensure that the rights of women to access economic resources and ownership of property, among others, are protected and not subjected to the dictates of individuals or obsolete cultural practices and stereotypes.

In a recorded message to the occasion, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed, said the conference marked a critical step towards Nigeria’s journey to gender inclusion, women empowerment, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She said gender equality and inclusion is not just an aspiration but a foundation for sustainable development, peace, and development across the world and urged all to invest in women’s empowerment, noting that when women are empowered, communities prosper, economies grow, and societies advance.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said VP Shettima’s support and push for inclusive growth resonates with everything that he has done since assuming office and is central to the agenda of the National Economic Council (NEC).

Sen. Hadejia said the “She’s Included” Conference is aimed at breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and building systems that support women’s empowerment across the country and serving as a model for gender equity in Nigeria, providing a guide to subsequent efforts and interventions aimed at integrating and empowering women across the country and beyond.

On her part, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, said the conference offers a unique opportunity to strengthen strategic frameworks for dismantling all barriers towards the actualisation of all women empowerment programmes and initiatives.

In the same vein, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the goals of the conference aligned with the agenda of the State Government on gender and economic inclusion, targeting women and vulnerable groups through the Kaduna State policy on women empowerment.

He highlighted programmes by the state government that have impacted women across agriculture, commerce, and different areas of the MSMEs, noting that the time to remove all impediments to women’s empowerment and inclusion was now and must be supported by all stakeholders.

On his part, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, said that given the position of women in the society, empowering them is an imperative and a step in the right direction that must be sustained, declaring that Jigawa in realisation of this great potential has placed itself as a champion and model for women empowerment in Nigeria.

He said that girl child education in the state is free at all levels and is tracked across the state, noting that it is a deliberate policy of the State Government to stimulate and improve rural economy.

In the same vein, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, commended the conveners for the initiative, noting that it is a call to action, noting that his administration is deliberate about pursuing policies on inclusion and uplifting of women with the aim of harnessing their productive potentials.

Giving an overview of the conference, the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr Nurudeen Zauro, said the conference presents a formidable platform for transformation, alignment of goals, sharing of insights, and designing of actionable plans that will break barriers and build resilience that will lead to financial inclusion across the country.

On his part, the Founder/GMD Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Mr. Tosin Eniolorunda, said inclusion must be at the core of the strategy to build a trillion-naira economy, hence the need to support the “She’sIncluded” initiative.

He said inclusion is not a charity but an economic imperative, noting that empowering women is akin to driving economic growth and described women as economic drivers, assuring that Moneipoint remains committed to the actualisation of the ideals of women’s inclusion initiative.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs and GMD/CEO of UBA Group, Mr Oliver Alawuba commended the Vice President’s Office for convening the first conference on gender inclusion, noting that it is a clear testament of the President Tinubu administration’s commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive society.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to be deliberate about empowering women, restating that it is synonymous with unlocking the full potential of our society and economy, noting that when women succeed, families flourish, and the nation thrives.

Also present at the event were the CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; the first ladies of Jigawa, Katsina and the CEOs of financial institutions and other partners.

Women Will Lead Africa’s $29trn Economic Ambition, Says VP Shettima

Zulum Calls for Large-Scale Irrigation Farms to Combat Food Insecurity in Lake Chad Region

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the establishment of large-scale irrigation farms as key solution to addressing the escalating food insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The governor made the call during a panel discussion titled “Ensuring Food Security through Building Resilience of Food Systems in the Lake Chad Basin Region” at the ongoing 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri.

Other members of the panel include the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Country Director of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Nigeria, Koffy Dominique Kouacou, while David Stevenson moderated the session.

Governor Zulum emphasized that the Lake Chad Basin region is endowed with vast arable land which, if properly harnessed, can significantly contribute to the region’s food security. He underscored the importance of collaboration between regional governors, critical partners, and the United Nations to establish irrigation farms that can be efficiently managed by agricultural experts.

“We need to invest in irrigation. Irrigated agriculture is the only solution. Unfortunately, our investment in irrigated agriculture is very low. We have vast fertile land. Borno State alone has a total land mass of 72,000 sqkm, out of this, over 70% are arable land,” Zulum stated.

With the region’s growing population, the governor noted that reliance on rainfed and subsistence farming practices is no longer sustainable. He stressed the urgent need for research into climate-resilient crops and farming techniques to ensure food affordability and sufficiency.

“There is increasing population growth while our food production is going down because of overdependence on rainfall. What we need to see through this forum is how the region will establish larger irrigation farms that can be operated either by surface irrigation or drip irrigation systems that will ensure sufficient utilisation of the limited water resources,” he added.

Governor Zulum further highlighted the importance of livestock development, pointing out that the Lake Chad Basin is the leading producer of livestock in the sub-region. He suggested that irrigation schemes could support the growth of animal pastures, thus boosting beef and milk production.

“We have a low-hanging fruit in irrigation. The shores of Lake Chad provide ample water resources and even where surface water is scarce, we can easily drill tube wells. What we need now is the political will from governors, regional partners, the federal government, and the national governments of Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic to drive this process,” Governor Zulum concluded.

Zulum Calls for Large-Scale Irrigation Farms to Combat Food Insecurity in Lake Chad Region

FG Launches Ultramodern Fashion Hub In Borno, Targets 48,000 Jobs

** VP Shettima announces N300,000 grants to MSMEs

** Commissions 15MVA substation in Maiduguri, urges citizens to protect power assets

By: Our Reporter

The federal government has launched one of Nigeria’s largest ultramodern fashion manufacturing hubs in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with a target of generating over 48,000 jobs through the facility in the state.

In continuation of the disbursement of its N75 billion support package for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the government also announced unconditional grants of N300,000 for outstanding MSMEs participating in the 6th Expanded National MSME Clinics programme.

Speaking on Tuesday when he launched the fashion hub and the Expanded MSMEs Clinic in Maiduguri, Vice President Kashim Shettima restated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fostering innovation, upskilling the workforce, and ensuring equitable wealth distribution across the nation.

“The strength of any nation lies not in its natural resources but in the hands of its skilled and enterprising citizens. You are the surest means of distributing wealth equitably across the land. You are the crucial link to securing a prosperous future,” he declared.

The N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund is being administered through the Bank of Industry, offering loans up to N1 million at 9% interest to 75,000 businesses nationwide.

Announcing the N300,000 grant for each business owners, VP Shettima said, “I am pleased to announce on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that an unconditional grant of N300,000 will be awarded to each outstanding MSME exhibiting at today’s clinic”.

According to him, the intervention represents yet another fulfilment of the promise made by President Bola to provide access to capital and expand opportunities for all Nigerians.

“Every business empowered is a step closer to eradicating poverty, and we do not take for granted the critical role you play as the buffer of our economy, particularly at the informal level,” he added.

On the MSME Clinic, Senator Shettima explained that it provides “a unique platform for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and innovators in Borno State to interact directly with regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and business support organisations.

“It is an avenue to receive practical, on-the-spot solutions to the challenges you face in running your businesses,” he pointed out.

The Vice President also announced the successful completion of the second cohort of the FGN-ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme in Borno State, a partnership with Wema Bank that has trained over three million Nigerians in digital skills.

“The FGN-ALAT programme has trained over two million Nigerian youths and one million MSMEs in digital skills and resources critical for thriving in today’s technology-driven economy,” the VP noted.

He further stated that the fashion hub is among the largest ever established by the federal government, furnished with state-of-the-art equipment to support the fashion manufacturing cluster in Borno State.

He continued: “It has the capacity to boost production, achieve economies of scale, and align with global standards. We anticipate that this facility will be managed by a competent private sector entity, with federal and state governments providing vigilant oversight.

“Our vision is for this hub to become a reference point for excellence, enterprise, and training—not only for Borno State but for the entire nation.”

Commending the state government for its support, the Vice President expressed gratitude to the government of Borno State, under the stewardship of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, for partnering with the federal government to bring the Expanded MSME Clinic and the fashion hub to the people of the state.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to grassroots economic development, noting that “without skills, innovation stalls. Without accessible capital, dreams wither.

“This is why we are committed to standing with you, supporting you, and ensuring that your most ambitious ideas are transformed into flourishing enterprises instead of being forgotten in the cupboards of dreams not realised,” he added.

In his remarks, Governor Zulum regretted that MSMEs had suffered “untold hardship in the state due to decade-long insurgency and the prevailing economic situation in the country.”

He expressed optimism that the launch of the MSME Clinic will revive business activities, small and medium enterprises, provide employment opportunities and sources of income for individuals in Borno State.

Assuring that the government is committed to creating more opportunities for the population, Governor Zulum said in recognition of the importance of MSMEs, his administration has made several policies to encourage the citizens to build expanded sources of income.

Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that the launch of the MSME Clinic and the Fashion and Innovation Hub marks another milestone of success in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said that going around the exhibition with the Vice President, he observed that “everything speaks to the 8-point agenda of Mr. President.”

He highlighted the agenda to include food security, poverty reduction, job creation, inclusion of women and youths, provision of security, access to capital and rule of law.

On his part, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen John Owen Eno, said the MSME Clinic is a transformational programme being led by the Vice President and is responsible for unlocking a lot of economic opportunities, empowering small businesses and encouraging innovation.

He said that coming to commission MSME in Maiduguri underscores the legacy of diversifying the economy, contributing to job growth as well as trying to be competitive.

Giving a recap of the MSME Clinics across the country, especially in Borno State, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Mr. Tola Johnson, expressed appreciation for the commissioning of the Clinic in the state.

While thanking the Governor and his team for a cordial working relationship, he said that the MSME Clinic organizes an award ceremony every June 27, and any state that the Vice President attends for the MSME Clinic prior to the award ceremony is qualified to win either the male or female MSME award.

Energy Infrastructure Vandalism Now A National Emergency – VP Shettima

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday also commissioned a new 15 megavolt-amperes (MVA) injection substation in Maiduguri, Borno State, saying recent attacks on power infrastructure have reached emergency levels.

To this effect, he said the government is urging all security agencies and citizens as well to take active interest in the protection of the nation’s power infrastructure to forestall the resultant power supply disruptions with its economic toll.

Speaking during the commissioning of the 1x15MVA, 33/11kV injection substation at the College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, Borno State, the Vice President said, “The widespread power outages experienced across Northern Nigeria at the end of last year due to acts of vandalism serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of our electricity infrastructure.

“This invites all of us to treat interventions in our national electricity infrastructure as an emergency.”

He explained that the new facility, constructed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), includes a 0.1km 33kV line, 5km of 11kV lines, 5km of LT distribution networks, and three 500kVA distribution transformers.

“If we are truly concerned about expanding the industrial capacity and productivity of this great nation, we must make electricity a priority. The energy needs of each part of this country are a promise we cannot afford to take for granted,” he said.

VP Shettima who is the Chairman of NDPHC lauded the company’s important role in Nigeria’s power sector development, saying, “NDPHC has earned its status as the nation’s largest generation company by installed capacity.

“Its contributions to Nigeria’s energy infrastructure are unmatched, including building over 40% of the existing transmission infrastructure now operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“Over the past decades, Nigeria’s power sector has been hampered by insufficient generation capacity, outdated transmission infrastructure, and inadequate distribution networks. These are well-known obstacles and solutions to them have been placed firmly on the front burner by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he maintained.

The VP disclosed that the injection substation and its associated network will have a transformative impact on Maiduguri and its environs.

“By enhancing the quality of electricity supply, reducing losses, and improving voltage levels, this project will stimulate economic activities, fast-track the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises, and support essential services,” he said.

Calling for increased generation capacity near consumption points to improve grid stability, particularly in the North-East, Senator Shettima urged the people of Maiduguri and its environs to take active roles in protecting these facilities from vandalism.

“Our collective responsibility in this regard is critical to sustaining our ambition to transform the power sector,” he said.

FG Launches Ultramodern Fashion Hub In Borno, Targets 48,000 Jobs