Operationalise, Not Just Declare” – Minister Tells States at 26th NCWACASD
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman, has charged the 36 states and the FCT to move from policy declarations to action.
She made the call at the 26th National Council on Women Affairs, Child Advancement, and Social Development, held in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba.
The Council, with the theme “Strengthening Families and Advancing the Care Economy for Inclusive Development: Operationalizing Nigeria’s Renewed Social Protection Architecture” drew participants from across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, among other partners.
In her opening remarks, the Minister said the National Council is the highest policy advisory platform for women, children and families, and must be treated as a binding commitment, not an annual photo-op.
She emphasized that the 26th National Council on Women Affairs, Child Advancement and Social Development must produce results that can be seen in communities.
“This Council is not a ceremony. It is not an annual gathering at which we exchange courtesies, take photographs and disperse. What we resolve here must be found next year in State budgets, in State work plans and in the lives of the people we serve,” she stated.
She thanked Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas and the people of Taraba State for hosting, and also commended Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo and Edo State for hosting the 25th Council in Benin City in November 2025.
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has declared 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, placing the family at the centre of national transformation.
She described the care economy as national infrastructure, noting that unpaid care work done mostly by women sustains households but keeps many women out of the formal workforce.
“A crèche at a market is not a welfare gesture, it is a productivity intervention,” she added.
The Minister decried poor data management and weak coordination, saying multiple agencies often run the same intervention in one LGA while others get nothing.
Additionally, she proposed a quarterly Federal-State-Partner coordination platform.
She also criticized the quality of memoranda submitted to the Council, saying 126 were presented this year but many were stepped down for lacking costings and implementation plans.
“A memorandum to this Council is not a wish. It should carry a clear problem statement, evidence, a costed implementation plan, a named implementing institution, a timeline and a means of verification,” she said.
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, said his administration remains committed to investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, women empowerment, skills development, child welfare and social inclusiveness.
Represented by the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Hamidu Kara, the governor urged participants to utilize the knowledge acquired and share experiences across states.
He called for stronger partnership with all stakeholders, noting that “government cannot do it alone,” and commended the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development for her commitment to service delivery.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Nana Tanko of the African Policy Research Institute, APRI, emphasized the need to value reciprocity and social cohesion.
She said the social rights of citizens must be clearly outlined as legal entitlements, with transparency in operationalization and public knowledge of services and benefits.
The APC Deputy National Women Leader, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, aka Anty Zee, said the 10 Million Voices Project was initiated by the Minister of Women Affairs.
She noted that Nigerian women are yet to occupy the highest offices of President, Vice President, Senate President and Governor.
She attributed this to lack of unity among women and commended the Minister for kick-starting the women’s movement in Nigeria.
“Out of 100, women constitute 50 per cent and above. Yet out of 109 National Assembly members, only four Senators are women,” Anty Zee revealed.
The Speaker of the Taraba State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Queen Abashi, expressed gratitude for being recognized and requested that children’s voices be heard not only on Children’s Day, but whenever policies and programs affecting them are being developed and implemented.
She appreciated the President Bola Tinubu administration for its commitment to protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect and harmful practices.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman, presented awards to states that distinguished themselves in domestication of national instruments, budgetary commitment, programme delivery and data reporting.
She also presented grants to individuals as an intervention to improve their small businesses.
The 4-day Council brought together Commissioners of Women Affairs, Permanent Secretaries, development partners, NGOs, and representatives of persons with disabilities from across the country, among others.
However, the Taraba State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mary Sinjen played host for the 26th National Council.
Sani Sulaiman
