Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday in Abuja, declared that women will be at the forefront of Africa’s projected $29 trillion economic transformation, emphasizing the importance of advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
Speaking at the launch of Project #SheIsIncluded and the opening of the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference, Senator Shettima expressed strong conviction that gender inclusion is not merely a rhetorical commitment but a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” builds on the 2024 Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion. It 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 Senator Shettima, Project #SheIsIncluded is built on four key pillars: education and financial literacy, maternal healthcare, gender-sensitive policies and programmes, and expanded economic opportunities for women. He announced that the initiative will reach all 774 local government areas across Nigeria to ensure 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.
Shettima emphasized that the two-day conference is more than just a forum for discussion; it is an avenue for serious reflection and practical strategizing on how to build an inclusive nation. He urged both public and private sector stakeholders 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, described the conference as an important milestone in the collective effort to break barriers and empower women. She stated that gender inclusion is a key enabler of sustainable development, central to addressing poverty and fostering economic growth.
The CJN assured that the judiciary will work with stakeholders to protect women’s rights to access economic resources and property ownership, ensuring these rights are not subjected to outdated cultural practices or stereotypes.
In a recorded message, 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.
“Gender equality and inclusion is not just an aspiration but a foundation for sustainable development, peace, and development across the world. When women are empowered, communities prosper, economies grow, and societies advance,” she said.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said VP Shettima’s support for inclusive growth aligns with his actions since assuming office and is central to the agenda of the National Economic Council.
Senator Hadejia described the “She’s Included” Conference as a platform to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build systems that support women’s empowerment across Nigeria, serving as a model for gender equity.
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 barriers to women’s empowerment.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State highlighted his administration’s alignment with the conference’s goals, emphasizing programmes targeting women and vulnerable groups through the Kaduna State policy on women empowerment.
Similarly, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, declared that empowering women is an imperative, noting that his state has championed free education for girls at all levels as part of its commitment to women’s empowerment.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, commended the initiative, stating that his administration is deliberate about pursuing policies to uplift women and harness their productive potential.
The Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, described the conference as a platform for transformation, alignment of goals, and designing actionable plans to break barriers and build resilience for financial inclusion.
The Founder/GMD of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Mr. Tosin Eniolorunda, stated that inclusion is an economic imperative, emphasizing that empowering women drives economic growth.
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 conference, describing it as a testament to the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society.
Also present at the event were the CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; the first ladies of Jigawa and Katsina States; CEOs of financial institutions; and other partners.
