By Prosper Mene
The Katsina State Government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, hosted a landmark two-day North-West Governors’ Summit on July 2-3, 2025, focused on advancing the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWPSU). The summit, held in Katsina, brought together governors, the World Bank, policymakers, and changemakers to strategize on institutionalizing a future where women in the North-West region are economically empowered, socially secure, and politically visible.
The Nigeria for Women Project, a federal initiative supported by the World Bank, aims to address the region’s 47% financial exclusion rate, a key driver of poverty, by scaling up access to credit, markets, and financial literacy for women. The summit highlighted the urgent need to empower women, who make up half of Nigeria’s population, as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized this during her address, stating, “No nation can thrive while excluding half its population. This is a national imperative.”
Katsina State, one of only two states, alongside Ekiti state to begin community-level implementation of the NFWPSU, has already formed Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) to foster economic empowerment. Governor Radda announced that over two million women in Katsina alone are expected to benefit from the project, with initiatives like blended finance vehicles to crowd-in private and philanthropic capital to support women’s cooperatives and expand local value chains.
“This summit is about action, not just talk,” said a representative from the Katsina State Government. “We are committed to unlocking the potential of women to drive economic growth, reduce social vices, and build resilient communities.” The event featured discussions on scaling Women Affinity Groups, enhancing financial inclusion, and integrating women into formal economic systems to break the cycle of small-scale activities.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to empower 460,000 women across six North-West states through this initiative, with Katsina leading the charge.
As the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up gains momentum, Katsina’s proactive leadership sets a model for other states, citing a bold commitment to a future where women’s economic, social, and political empowerment drives regional progress.
