By Comfort Olayinka
Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President in the Office of the Vice President, has reaffirmed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s unwavering support for inclusive growth, with a particular focus on promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Speaking at the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference and the launch of Project #SheIsIncluded, Hadejia emphasized that the Vice President’s commitment to inclusive growth aligns with his overall vision for Nigeria’s development.
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies for promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Hadejia noted that the Vice President’s support for inclusive growth is central to the agenda of the National Economic Council.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described the conference as an important milestone in the collective effort to break barriers to empowering women and promoting inclusion. In a recorded message, 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’s empowerment, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
High Chief Temitope Fawehinmi, Financial Inclusion Ambassador of the Presidential Committee, acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, among other dignitaries present at the event.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Ibrahim, stated that the conference offers a unique opportunity to strengthen strategic frameworks for dismantling barriers to women’s empowerment programs and initiatives.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State noted that the goals of the conference align with his state government’s gender and economic inclusion agenda, targeting women and vulnerable groups.
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, affirmed that empowering women is crucial for societal progress and declared that Jigawa has positioned itself as a champion and model for women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, commended the initiative, describing it as a call to action.
The conference highlighted the administration’s dedication to creating a more equitable society and driving economic development through gender inclusion.
As the conference came to a close, it was clear that the Vice President’s commitment to inclusive growth and women’s economic empowerment had struck a chord with stakeholders.
With Project #SheIsIncluded, Nigeria takes a significant step towards achieving sustainable development and economic growth through gender inclusion.
The success of the conference and the launch of Project #SheIsIncluded demonstrate the administration’s willingness to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society, where women have equal opportunities to participate in the economy and contribute to the country’s development.
