The Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Nigeria is a government agency responsible for promoting women’s rights and development. Established in 1989, its primary goal is to ensure gender equality and mainstream women’s concerns in national development.
The ministry addresses issues such as education, health, economic empowerment, and protection from violence. It works with both government and non-governmental organizations to implement policies and programs that benefit women and girls across Nigeria.
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List Of Ministers Of Women’s Affairs In Nigeria
No | Name | Term Start | Term End | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aisha Ismail | 1999 | 2003 | PDP |
2 | Rita Akpan | 2003 | 2005 | PDP |
3 | Maryam Ciroma | 2005 | 2007 | PDP |
4 | Saudatu Bungudu | 2007 | 2008 | PDP |
5 | Salamatu Hussain Suleiman | 2008 | 2010 | PDP |
6 | Josephine Anenih | 2010 | 2011 | PDP |
7 | Zainab Maina | 2011 | 2015 | APC |
8 | Aisha Jummai Alhassan | 2015 | 2018 | APC |
9 | Aisha Abubakar | 2018 | 2019 | APC |
10 | Pauline Kedem Tallen | 2019 | 2023 | APC |
11 | Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye | 2023 | 2024 | APC |
12 | Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim | 2024 | Present | APC |
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Departments In The Ministry Of Women’s Affairs In Nigeria
There are 10 departments In the Ministry of Women’s Affairs In Nigeria:
- Women and Gender Affairs
- Economic Services
- Planning, Research, and Statistics
- Human Resources Management
- General Services
- Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU)
- Child Development
- Legal Services
- Servicom
- Finance and Account
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Parastatal Under The Ministry Of Women’s Affairs In Nigeria
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development oversees one major parastatal:
- National Centre for Women Development (NCWD)
Units Under The Ministry Of Women’s Affairs In Nigeria
- Federal Audit Unit
- Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU)
- Servicom Unit
Who Is The New Minister Of Women’s Affairs In Nigeria?
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is the new Minister of Women’s Affairs in Nigeria. She was appointed on October 23, 2024, after a cabinet reshuffle led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Imaan took over from Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, who previously held the position. She has had a notable career in public service, known for her dedication to issues related to refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people in Nigeria.
Imaan was born on April 19, 1980, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, but grew up in Abuja. She attended Aruwa Nursery School and Jabi Primary School in Abuja, then went on to Federal Government Girls College in Bwari for her secondary education.
Imaan finished a degree in sociology from the University of Abuja by the age of 19. She also obtained two master’s degrees in business administration and human resources from Webster University’s London campus by the age of 21.
After graduation, she completed her National Youth Service at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s Kaduna office. She started her career at the Abuja Geographic Information Systems office and then worked in human resources and business management in the United Kingdom.
Imaan is also a certified SAP consultant and was a senior sales director with Mary Kay. In Nigeria, Imaan’s public service roles began to grow.
She served as a strategic communication adviser to the Minister of State for Education and was also a member of the Nasarawa State Economic Advisory Council.
Her career in government advanced further when she was appointed as the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in December 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, she was moved to become the Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, where she served until August 2023.
In August 2023, Imaan was chosen as the Minister of State for Police Affairs, becoming the first woman to hold that role. During her time in that position, she improved police services and addressed security issues. When the opportunity arose in October 2024, President Tinubu appointed her as the Minister of Women’s Affairs.
This position allows her to advocate for women’s rights, promote gender equality, and support programs aimed at empowering women across Nigeria. She is married with three children and continues to live in Abuja.