The Federal Government has described investment in women’s health as a key requirement for Nigeria to achieve its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, made the position known at the maiden Her Health, Her Power Conference Africa 2026, organised by the VickyHeldan Empowerment Foundation in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Leading with Wellness for a Sustainable Africa,” brought together stakeholders from the health, development, business, media and humanitarian sectors to examine issues surrounding women’s health, empowerment and leadership.
According to a statement issued by the foundation on Monday, the minister, who was represented by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women’s Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said Nigeria’s economic goals would remain difficult to achieve without prioritising women’s wellbeing.
“If we are serious about a $1 trillion Nigerian economy, then investing in women’s health is not optional. It is foundational,” Suleiman-Ibrahim said.
She said the Federal Government was working to strengthen policies and institutions supporting women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, family development and protection.
The minister also advocated closer cooperation among government agencies, private businesses, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to improve health outcomes for women.
She commended the founder of the VickyHeldan Empowerment Foundation, Dr Victory Njoku, for establishing a platform where stakeholders could develop commitments aimed at advancing women’s health and empowerment.
Suleiman-Ibrahim, however, challenged participants to go beyond conversations and ensure that ideas generated at the conference result in measurable actions and concrete outcomes.
Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, also called for greater recognition of the connection between women’s health and economic growth, urging policymakers and political leaders to improve women’s access to healthcare and education.
“Now, it is key not to separate women’s health from economic growth,” Amaechi said.
He said individuals entrusted with public responsibilities needed to appreciate how women’s wellbeing affects economic development.
READ ALSO: Women’s Participation In Nigeria’s Digital Economy Faces Structural Barriers
Recalling his administration’s policies in Rivers State, Amaechi said health centres were established in every village, with each facility staffed by a medical doctor and two nurses.
He added that his administration provided N10,000 to women who attended antenatal care.
Amaechi said political decisions had significant effects on women’s lives and urged leaders to improve communities by providing hospitals, health centres and other infrastructure capable of raising the quality of life for women and families.
The convener of the conference, Njoku, said the initiative was created to promote women’s health across Africa by connecting women with innovators, healthcare professionals and advocates.
She said the foundation planned to extend the campaign beyond the conference through community-based programmes covering maternal health, reproductive healthcare, mental wellness, education and leadership.
“This is just creating a conversation, but taking action, we’re going to propel into communities through our outreach programs, focused on maternal health, reproductive care, mental wellness, education and leadership,” Njoku said.
Njoku expressed optimism that the initiative would grow from a Nigerian project into a wider African platform, while urging women to play a stronger role in discussions and decisions affecting their development, health and wellbeing.
The conference was attended by healthcare practitioners, entrepreneurs, public health professionals, advocates, media practitioners and other stakeholders across the development sector.