Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim Wins Prestigious Global Women’s Leadership Award
A woman struggling to balance paid employment with childcare, household responsibilities and caring for elderly relatives may soon have greater support, as Nigeria moves to recognise unpaid care work as an important part of its economy.
Against this backdrop, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has received international recognition for her efforts to advance women’s empowerment, leadership and social transformation.
The Minister was honoured as Distinguished Champion of Women’s Advancement and Social Transformation at the 16th Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2026 (Africa), organised by Women in Management (WIM) Global and WIM Africa.
The award was presented at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on 11 November.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim was represented at the ceremony by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, and the Centre’s Governing Council Chairperson, Princess Dr Joan Jummai Idonije.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the recognition acknowledges the Minister’s professional excellence, leadership and contributions to expanding women’s participation, leadership opportunities and inclusion in the global workforce.
Since assuming office, Sulaiman-Ibrahim has intensified efforts to reposition the Ministry through more than 38 targeted policies, legislative reviews and strategic frameworks focusing on women, children, families and vulnerable groups.
One of the major milestones is the Federal Executive Council’s approval, on 28 October 2026, of three national policy instruments.
They include the National Care Policy and Implementation Plan (2026–2030), the National Costed Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children, and the National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (2026–2030).
The National Care Policy is particularly significant for millions of Nigerian women who shoulder unpaid responsibilities at home, often at the expense of their education, careers and economic opportunities.
It seeks to recognise and strengthen the care economy while addressing the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women.
The Ministry is also pursuing reforms to strengthen women’s rights and protection, including the review of the Child Rights Act 2003, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and the National Gender Policy 2021–2026.
Other initiatives include the launch of the Third National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and the establishment of the National Council for Social Work.
Through programmes such as the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, the Power of 10 Million women’s mobilisation and economic empowerment initiative, and the nine-pillar Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions, the Ministry says it is working to extend economic opportunities and social protection to women and vulnerable groups across the country.
The award, jointly endorsed by WIM Global Founder and Chairperson, Dr Sulochana Segera, and WIM Africa President, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, adds to the international recognition of Nigeria’s efforts towards gender equality and inclusive development.
The Ministry says the recognition also reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to placing women’s economic empowerment, child protection, family welfare and social inclusion at the centre of national development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It maintains that empowering women and protecting children are essential to building resilient families and achieving sustainable national development.
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