By Hafsah Tilde
The Federal Government says Nigeria’s re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women will strengthen reforms advancing women’s rights, gender equality and inclusive national development nationwide effectively.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this on Saturday in Abuja while celebrating Nigeria’s successful return to the influential United Nations treaty-monitoring committee on women’s rights.
She said Nigeria secured re-election during elections held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, defeating candidates from eight other countries and reaffirming international confidence in the country’s gender equality commitments.
According to the minister, the victory will support ongoing legal reforms, expand women’s economic empowerment initiatives and strengthen institutions working to improve opportunities and protections for women and girls nationwide.
“The Federal Government reaffirms that international recognition must translate into measurable domestic impact,
“Our objective remains to ensure equality is reflected in the lives of every Nigerian woman and girl,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the ministry would collaborate with state governments to deepen implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women across Nigeria through coordinated policy reforms.
She said additional states would be encouraged to domesticate and fully implement the convention to strengthen legal protections and improve outcomes for women and girls across the federation through sustained collaboration.
According to her, wider implementation of the convention will enhance protection, education, healthcare and economic opportunities, ensuring greater inclusion and improved living standards for Nigerian women and girls nationwide effectively.
The minister said Nigeria would continue contributing to international efforts promoting gender equality, women’s rights and inclusive development while strengthening cooperation with global partners advancing shared development priorities and commitments worldwide.
She commended the Ministries of Women Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other stakeholders for their coordinated efforts in securing Nigeria’s successful re-election to committee.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda placed women, families and vulnerable groups at the centre of national development, reflecting government’s commitment to inclusive growth and social progress nationwide.
She added that the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development further demonstrated government’s commitment to strengthening family welfare and promoting inclusive national development across Nigeria effectively together.
The minister also commended First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for advancing women’s economic empowerment through the Renewed Hope Initiative, describing the programme as supporting sustainable livelihoods and inclusive national development across communities.
She congratulated Mrs Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia on her re-election for a second four-year term on the United Nations committee, describing the achievement as recognition of Nigeria’s continued leadership on women’s rights globally.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed confidence that Eghobamien-Mshelia would continue serving Nigeria with distinction while advancing global efforts to protect women’s rights, strengthen gender equality and promote inclusive development through international cooperation worldwide.
The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring international obligations deliver practical benefits for Nigerian women, families and communities through sustained policy implementation, institutional reforms and strengthened partnerships across all sectors.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru