Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized that integrating women into Nigeria’s economic framework is fundamental to achieving sustainable development.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference and the launch of Project #SheIsIncluded, Shettima underscored the need to bridge gender gaps in finance and the broader economy. The initiative aims to advance gender equality and empower women economically.
Themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” the conference builds upon the 2024 Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion and reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 5—gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
Shettima stressed that gender inclusion is not just a symbolic gesture but a crucial element of national progress.
“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,” he stated.
Nationwide Reach and Key Focus Areas
According to Shettima, Project #SheIsIncluded is built on four pillars: education and financial literacy, maternal healthcare, gender-sensitive policies and programs, and expanded economic opportunities for women. He announced that the initiative will be implemented across all 774 local government areas to ensure 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. We are not just assuring the women of Nigeria of their place in our collective journey—we are creating pathways for them to lead the charge,” he said.
Shettima further highlighted that the initiative is designed to unlock the full potential of Nigerian women, aligning with the broader economic goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. It will be led 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.
Calls for Action and Stakeholder Commitment
Shettima described the two-day conference as a crucial platform for reflection and strategy development, urging public and private sector stakeholders to use the opportunity to outline concrete steps toward gender inclusion.
“I look forward to the recommendations that will emerge from this conference, knowing they will shape the future of gender inclusion in Nigeria,” he added.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, hailed the conference as a milestone in the collective effort to dismantle barriers to women’s empowerment. She emphasized that gender inclusion is a catalyst for sustainable development, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
She assured that the judiciary would collaborate with stakeholders to protect women’s rights, particularly in accessing economic resources and property ownership, ensuring they are not undermined by outdated cultural practices.
Global and National Endorsements
In a recorded message, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Amina Mohammed, described the conference as a pivotal step in Nigeria’s journey toward gender inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Gender equality and inclusion are not just aspirations but foundations for sustainable development, peace, and progress worldwide. When women are empowered, communities prosper, economies grow, and societies advance,” she noted.
Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), highlighted that Shettima’s commitment to inclusive growth aligns with his broader agenda and the objectives of the National Economic Council.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Ibrahim, stressed the importance of strengthening strategic frameworks to remove obstacles hindering women’s empowerment.
Governors from Kaduna, Jigawa, and Edo states reaffirmed their commitment to gender inclusion, with Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa declaring that his state is setting an example in women’s empowerment.
Financial Sector and Private Sector Support
Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, described the conference as a platform for designing actionable strategies to enhance financial inclusion.
Moniepoint Microfinance Bank’s Founder and GMD, Mr. Tosin Eniolorunda, emphasized that inclusion must be central to Nigeria’s push for a trillion-naira economy, calling for full support for the “She’s Included” initiative.
Similarly, UBA Group’s GMD/CEO and Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, commended the Vice President’s Office for hosting Nigeria’s first gender inclusion conference, calling it a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society.
