As families across Nigeria paused to reflect and reconnect on the International Day of Families, the Federal Government announced an ambitious new set of programmes aimed at supporting the very heart of society: the family.
In a statement released Friday, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, laid out a comprehensive plan tied to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—one that promises to put the needs of families, especially vulnerable children and women, at the center of national development efforts.
“These are not just policies on paper,” the Minister said. “These are real, measurable actions that touch everyday lives.”
Among the major initiatives is a National Family Strengthening and Development Programme, designed to address root causes of poverty, domestic violence, and fragile social ties.
The first phase aims to reach over five million Nigerians, with local solutions rolled out across all 774 Local Government Areas.
“This is a community-based and community-driven programme,” she explained. “It will tackle the issues that make families vulnerable—from unemployment to the erosion of cultural and support systems.”
Also on the horizon is the unveiling of National Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children—a document meant to ensure that children who cannot live with their biological families still grow up in safe, nurturing environments.
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It’s a move that complements the ongoing National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children.
And the drive doesn’t stop there. The Ministry is also scaling up the Nigeria for Women Programme, aiming to reach 4.5 million women with empowerment tools and resources to lift not only themselves but their families and communities.
“This is about strengthening urban resilience and rebuilding community ties,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said. “The family must be seen as central, not secondary, in our pursuit of sustainable development.”
The day’s theme, “Family-oriented policies for sustainable development,” was more than just a slogan.
For the Minister, it’s a call to action—for governments, civil society, religious leaders, and everyday citizens—to come together for a future where families can thrive.
“The wellbeing of a nation begins in the home,” she said. “And we’re committed to protecting that foundation.”