Women’s Inclusion Key To Nigeria’s Security, National Development — Minister

By Babangida Abdullahi Gusau

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for greater inclusion of women in decision-making, peacebuilding and national security, saying Nigeria’s sustainable development depends on the active participation of women.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim spoke in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026, where she was invested as the association’s National Patroness.

She also congratulated the Queen of Hausaland, Dr Lubna Muhammad Baba Gusau, and other recipients of the WINSEC 2026 Awards for their outstanding contributions to national development.

The minister, who described the summit as timely and strategic, said women and girls remained disproportionately affected by conflicts, stressing the need for their greater participation in peace and security processes.

According to her, women and girls account for nearly 90 per cent of displaced populations globally, while one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence during her lifetime.

She said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was implementing policies and programmes aimed at strengthening women’s leadership, protecting survivors of gender-based violence and increasing women’s participation in governance.

“Security is stronger when women are fully involved,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said, urging stakeholders to collectively build a Nigeria anchored on justice, inclusion, equality and hope for every woman, family and community.

She also commended NAWOJ for creating a platform that recognises the contributions of women to Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that women journalists play a crucial role in promoting peace, accountability and national cohesion.

“Women journalists do far more than report events; they shape narratives, challenge harmful stereotypes, expose injustice, counter misinformation, amplify the voices of the vulnerable, and strengthen public accountability,” she said.

The minister pledged deeper collaboration with NAWOJ to promote gender-responsive journalism, increase women’s participation in security discourse and strengthen media advocacy for peace, inclusion and sustainable development.

NAWOJ Honours Women Making Impact In Security, Nation-Building

In her remarks, the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim, said WINSEC was established to celebrate excellence and draw attention to the often-overlooked contributions of women to peace, security and national development.

She said NAWOJ had, for nearly four decades, promoted professionalism, defended democracy, amplified the voices of women and vulnerable groups, and deployed journalism as a tool for national development.

According to her, women across Nigeria continue to serve with distinction as military and police officers, intelligence personnel, correctional officers, journalists, humanitarian workers, community leaders and peace advocates.

“Yet, many of these remarkable contributions often go unnoticed. WINSEC was established to change that narrative,” she said.

Ibrahim said the initiative was aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to gender equality, peace, justice, strong institutions and partnerships, as well as the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

She also disclosed that NAWOJ’s next major aspiration was the construction of a befitting national secretariat, calling on governments, development partners, corporate organisations and media stakeholders to support the project.

Lubna Gusau, Others Receive WINSEC 2026 Awards

Among those honoured at the summit was Dr Lubna Muhammad Baba Gusau, also known as Sarauniyar Kasar Hausa (Queen of Hausaland), who was recognised for her contributions to philanthropy, community development and advocacy for women and youths.

The WINSEC 2026 awards brought together stakeholders to recognise women whose work has contributed to security, peacebuilding, journalism, community development and national progress.