By Prosper Mene
October 24, 2025
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, has revealed that seven out of every ten women in the country are living in extreme poverty. She shared this shocking figure during a national summit on gender equality organized by her ministry and UN Women in Abuja.
The minister explained that extreme poverty means women cannot afford basic needs like food, clean water, medicine, or school fees for their children. “Many wake up every day unsure of their next meal,” she said. She pointed to major causes: women own little or no land, banks rarely give them loans, and they face barriers to education and good jobs.
Most of these poor women live in rural areas. They make up 70% of Nigeria’s farm workers and grow 60% of the nation’s food, yet they earn far less than men. In northern states, early marriage and low school enrollment keep girls out of classrooms. For example, only 54% of women can read and write, compared to 71% of men.
To fight this crisis, the minister announced a N500 billion Women Economic Empowerment Fund. The plan is to give small loans, training, and market access to 5 million women within two years. The government will also provide 100,000 solar-powered machines to help rural women process crops like rice and cassava, saving time and increasing income.
The minister urged the National Assembly to pass laws giving women more roles in government and protecting their rights to land and property. “Women are the backbone of our homes and economy,” she said. “When we lift women out of poverty, we build a stronger Nigeria for everyone.” Leaders from UN Women, banks, and civil society groups promised full support.
