By Peter Omopo
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has been named the only female minister to receive the Vanguard 2025 Award in recognition of her leadership and reforms in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on April 24, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, where she will be formally honoured.
According to organisers, the recognition highlights her contributions to national development since her appointment in October 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In its March 2, 2026 edition, Vanguard described the minister as a determined leader and noted that her appointment reflected confidence in women’s leadership. The newspaper drew comparisons between her and prominent female leaders in global politics.
Since assuming office, Sulaiman-Ibrahim has introduced reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, rebuilding public trust and fostering strategic partnerships.
Among the initiatives highlighted were the completion of the long-awaited review of the National Child Protection Policy and the launch of a National Action Plan to End Violence Against Children.
In the area of women’s economic empowerment, the ministry expanded the Nigeria for Women Project to reach 4.5 million women and operationalised the MOWA-SARA Skills Acquisition Programme targeting 500,000 women. The ministry also facilitated transport support for over 1,000 women through partnerships with CREDICORP.
The minister also launched the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Initiative valued at $50 million and established the first Women Agro-Value Expansion Centre in the Federal Capital Territory to enhance participation in trade and agriculture.
On justice and accountability, the ministry strengthened the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, supported the domestication of the Child Rights Act across states and rolled out a National Costed Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage.
Efforts were also made to expand access to healthcare and medical supplies for women, children and survivors of gender-based violence through international partnerships.
Stakeholders described the award as recognition of sustained performance and impactful leadership in advancing the welfare of women and vulnerable groups across the country.
