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New Initiative to Empower 48,000 Women in Nigeria’s Katsina State Amid Economic and Security Challenges.

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

A beacon of hope emerged for women in northern Nigeria today as the Women Initiative for Northern Nigeria Development unveiled an ambitious plan to support 48,000 women across 16 local government areas in Katsina State. The initiative, announced on April 3, 2025, aims to bolster economic opportunities in a region long hampered by insecurity and scarce resources, offering a lifeline to women seeking financial independence.

The program targets some of Katsina’s most underserved communities, where banditry, poverty, and limited infrastructure have disproportionately affected women’s livelihoods. By providing training, resources, and access to markets, the initiative seeks to bridge the economic gap that has left many women in the region struggling to support their families. Specific details on funding and implementation timelines are yet to be fully disclosed, but organizers say the effort will prioritize sustainable growth.

The move aligns with broader national commitments to uplift Nigerian women, syncing pledges made by President Bola Tinubu and other leaders during last month’s International Women’s Day events. In March, Tinubu emphasized dismantling systemic barriers and expanding women’s access to finance and governance roles, a vision this initiative aims to put into action. Katsina, a state in Nigeria’s northwest, has been a focal point for such efforts, given its high rates of poverty and gender disparity.

Local women’s advocates have welcomed the announcement, though some caution that success hinges on addressing the region’s security challenges. “Economic empowerment is vital, but it’s hard to thrive when you’re living in fear,” said Amina Yusuf, a community leader in Katsina. “This must go hand in hand with peace.”

The Women Initiative for Northern Nigeria Development’s plan marks a significant step toward gender equity in a region where opportunities for women have historically been limited. As the program rolls out, all eyes will be on Katsina to see if it can deliver on its promise of transformation amid the area’s complex realities.

 

 

 

 

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Pregnant Woman’s Death in Lagos Hospital Sparks Anger Over High Fees.

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

A pregnant woman named Kemi died in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, after a private hospital reportedly refused to treat her because her family couldn’t pay a ₦500,000 deposit. The tragic story, first shared by Kemi’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, in February, went viral on April 2, 2025, after @Drweloveu posted about it on X, leading to widespread anger.

Folajimi said Kemi was in labor and needed urgent care, but the hospital demanded ₦500,000 upfront. Unable to pay, they were sent to a general hospital in Epe, but Kemi passed away on the way. A video shows Folajimi begging Kemi to stay awake, saying, “Kemi, look at me. Stay strong for our kids.” Official reports confirm the hospital’s deposit policy, though the full details of Kemi’s death are still being investigated, according to Tribune Online.

This incident has upset many people because Nigeria already has a high rate of maternal deaths, over 800 per 100,000 births, according to health data. Many women die from issues like bleeding or infections that can be treated if care is given on time. Users across social media platforms, have few opinions on how to avoid issues like this through insurance, users like @Ne0_0fficiall

said health insurance could have saved Kemi. “I used my insurance in Lagos and paid nothing for treatment,” they wrote. @Oyshia_oy

added that ₦54,750 can cover a pregnant woman for two years with insurance.

The story shows big problems in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Many hospitals lack enough staff or equipment, and a 2019 study showed that some healthcare workers aren’t well-trained for emergencies like Kemi’s. The government has a health insurance program to help, but many people don’t use it because they don’t know about it or it’s not working well.

People on X are calling for change. @Oluwamidunsin suggested pregnant women register at government hospitals for cheaper care. @Drpenking, a doctor, shared how he once paid for a patient’s treatment but wasn’t paid back, explaining why some hospitals ask for money first. @Drweloveu’s group, Love for Health, is asking for donations to help others in need, sharing a Zenith Bank account (1229255323).

Kemi’s death has made many Nigerians demand better healthcare so no more mothers die because they can’t pay hospital fees.

 

 

 

 

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Lagos Woman Accused of Child Labor After Early Morning Sweeping in Ikoyi Sparks Outrage.

by Women Times on

 

By Prosper Mene 

A routine early morning in Ikoyi turned into a public spectacle this week when a Lagos woman, known locally as Mama Bose, was confronted by another woman over allegations of child labor. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, occurred around 4:30-5:00 AM on Monday, March 31, as Mama Bose and her 11-year-old daughter were seen sweeping a residential compound in the upscale neighborhood.

The accuser, identified on social media only as Toun, a concerned passerby, challenged Mama Bose for bringing her young daughter along on the daily trek from Iyana Oworo, a mainland suburb, to Ikoyi to perform cleaning work. “This is purely child labor,” Toun declared in the video, which has since garnered thousands of views on social media platforms. “She wakes this child up by 4 AM to sweep—how can this be right?” Toun’s outrage resonated with some onlookers and online commentators who argued that the grueling schedule endangered the girl’s well-being and education.

Mama Bose, a widowed mother of three who relies on odd jobs to survive, defended herself amid the confrontation. “We come from Iyana Oworo every day because this is how I feed my family,” she explained, her voice trembling. “My daughter helps me, and then she goes to school. I don’t have a choice.” Witnesses reported that the girl appeared tired but unharmed, clutching a broom nearly as tall as she was.

The video, first posted by X user @shegzedon

on March 31 ignited a firestorm of reactions. Some, like @iam_polainoe, echoed Toun’s concerns, noting the strain of waking a child so early for labor before school. “Many of you are supporting her, but this is wrong,” the user wrote. Others criticized Toun’s approach, accusing her of insensitivity. @GlamTspecial22 remarked, “She sounds so rude—just cares about embarrassing the woman! If she really cared, she’d talk to her without a camera.” Similarly, @sholawa condemned Toun for shaming Mama Bose publicly: “Is it joy to her, coming from the mainland to sweep at 4 AM?”

Child labor is a contentious issue in Nigeria, where economic hardship often forces families into difficult choices. While the Child’s Right Act prohibits exploitative work for children under 18, enforcement remains weak, especially in informal sectors like domestic cleaning. A December 2024 AP News report on child labor in Nigeria’s lithium mines highlighted the broader challenge, though urban cases like this one rarely make headlines.

The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has not commented on the incident, and no formal complaint has been reported to the police as of April 1. However, the viral video has prompted calls for intervention. “In some countries, this wouldn’t be tolerated,” X user @urch_cenation posted, urging authorities to investigate.

For now, Mama Bose continues her dawn routine, caught between survival and scrutiny. The clash has left Lagosians divided: Is this a case of exploitation or a mother’s desperate bid to provide? As the debate rages online, the story unveils the harsh realities many face in Nigeria’s economic capital—and the complex line between necessity and neglect.

 

 

 

 

 

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Lassa Fever Outbreak: Nigerian Women on the Frontlines as Caregivers Demand Support.

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

As Nigeria grapples with a deadly Lassa fever outbreak that has claimed 118 lives in the first three months of 2025, women in affected communities are emerging as the unsung heroes, and unintended victims, of this public health crisis. With 645 confirmed cases reported across 33 states by March 31, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), women, often the primary caregivers in households, are bearing the brunt of the disease’s toll, particularly in hard-hit areas like Kano.

The outbreak, which has a case fatality rate of 18.3%, has exposed deep-seated gender dynamics in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. Women like Amina Yusuf, a 38-year-old mother of four from Kano, have found themselves thrust into the role of caregiver as family members fall ill. “My husband caught the fever last month, and I’ve been nursing him day and night,” Amina said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “There’s no one else to do it. But the clinics are far, and we don’t have enough medicine or information to keep us safe.”

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents or bodily fluids, thrives in Nigeria’s dry season, peaking between November and April. The NCDC reports that 3,465 suspected cases have swept through 91 local government areas this year, with Kano among the regions sounding the alarm. For women, the risk is twofold: caring for the sick exposes them to infection, while limited access to medical resources heightens their vulnerability.

Dr. Fatima Bello, a public health expert in Kano, emphasized the gendered impact. “Women are the backbone of caregiving in our communities, yet they’re often the last to receive protective equipment or education about prevention,” she said. “This outbreak is a wake-up call—we need targeted support for these women, from gloves and masks to awareness campaigns in local languages.”

The NCDC has deployed rapid response teams to 10 high-burden states, including Kano, and activated a national emergency operations center to coordinate efforts. Yet, challenges persist: delayed case detection, manpower shortages, and late hospital visits—often due to reliance on traditional remedies—continue to hamper containment. Of the 20 healthcare workers infected nationwide, many are women, underscoring the frontline risks they face.

In Kano’s markets and cramped homes, women like Amina are calling for change. “We need more help—more doctors, more supplies, and someone to tell us how to stop this,” she pleaded. Community leaders have echoed her plea, urging the government and private sector to bolster medical infrastructure and launch door-to-door education drives.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nigerian Women Turn to Prostitution Amid Economic Crisis.

by Women Times on

 

By Prosper Mene 

In a corner of Lagos’ bustling streets, Aisha, a 24-year-old single mother, adjusts her makeup under the flicker of a streetlamp. Once a petty trader selling vegetables in Oshodi market, she now stands among a growing number of Nigerian women compelled to trade their bodies for survival. “I didn’t choose this,” she says, her voice heavy with resignation. “But when inflation eats your profits and your child is hungry, what choice do you have?”

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is reeling from its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. With inflation soaring to 34.6% in November 2024 and food prices climbing beyond 40%, according to government data, millions of households are buckling under economic strain. For women like Aisha, the fallout is not just financial—it’s personal, pushing them into desperate measures as traditional livelihoods collapse under the weight of a devalued naira and dwindling opportunities.

A Crisis Driving Choices

The economic turmoil began intensifying in 2023 when President Bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidies and liberalized foreign exchange rates reforms aimed at revitalizing the economy but leaving ordinary Nigerians in their wake. The naira has since plummeted, losing over 70% of its value against the dollar, while the cost of basics like rice, beans, and cooking gas has tripled. For women, who often bear the burden of feeding families and managing households, the impact is profound.

“Before, I could make 5,000 naira a day selling vegetables,” Aisha recalls. “Now, I’m lucky to break even after transport and market fees. My son needs school fees, food, medicine, I couldn’t keep up.” Last month, she joined the ranks of women engaging in what’s locally dubbed “hookup”—a discreet form of prostitution facilitated by social media and apps, offering quick cash in a crumbling economy.

The United Nations World Food Programme projects that 33.1 million Nigerians will face acute food insecurity in 2025, a 7 million increase from last year. Women, particularly in urban centers like Lagos and Kano, are among the hardest hit. A 2023 report by the Council on Foreign Relations noted that Nigeria’s GDP could rise by 23% if women were equally engaged in the economy, yet cultural norms and economic exclusion continue to marginalize them, leaving prostitution as a last resort.

From Markets to Streets

Across Nigeria, stories like Aisha’s echo a trend. In Benin City, Edo State—long a hub for trafficking, Blessing, 19, abandoned her tailoring apprenticeship when customers stopped coming. “Thread and fabric prices doubled, and people couldn’t afford my work,” she says. A friend introduced her to a “madam” who promised fast money through clients in Lagos. “I send half home to my mother. She doesn’t ask where it comes from.”

The rise of “hookup” culture, distinct from traditional brothel-based prostitution, has exploded in cities, fueled by anonymity and smartphones. Young women, including university students and unemployed graduates, connect with clients online, charging anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 naira per encounter—sums that dwarf the 33,000 naira monthly minimum wage for public servants like NYSC members. “It’s not pride,” says Tolu, a 21-year-old student in Ibadan. “It’s survival. Books don’t pay rent.”

A Legacy of Exploitation

Nigeria’s prostitution crisis isn’t new, but the economic downturn has amplified it. Since the 1980s, trafficking networks have funneled women from Edo State to Europe, particularly Italy, where an estimated 21,000 Nigerian women and girls have been trafficked since 2015, according to the UN. Today, the same desperation driving international trafficking is turning inward, with local sex work surging. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reported rescuing 1,266 women from trafficking in 2021 alone, yet the agency struggles to keep pace with the domestic shift.

In northern Kano, where Sharia law bans prostitution, economic pressures are quietly eroding taboos. Fatima, 28, a widow with three children, began meeting clients in secret after her roadside tea stall folded. “Bandits took our farms, and prices took my business,” she says. “I’d rather sin than watch my kids starve.”

Society’s Blind Eye

The stigma surrounding prostitution remains fierce, yet economic necessity is softening judgment in some quarters. “People whisper, but they know why we do it,” Tolu says. Families, too, often turn a blind eye when remittances arrive. In Benin City, activists note a troubling normalization: parents once pressured daughters to migrate for sex work abroad; now, they tacitly accept it at home.

Government response has been patchy. Tinubu’s administration has rolled out cash transfers and grain handouts, but critics say they’re inadequate. “We’re treating symptoms, not the disease,” argues Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise. “Without jobs and security, women will keep falling through the cracks.”

Grassroots groups like Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) in Edo State offer vocational training and counseling, but resources are stretched thin. “We’re seeing younger girls every day,” says Grace Osakue of GPI. “Poverty doesn’t wait for empowerment programs.”

A Future in Question

For Aisha, Blessing, and countless others, prostitution isn’t a career—it’s a stopgap. “I pray every night for a way out,” Aisha says, glancing at her son’s photo on her phone. Yet, with 33 million Nigerians projected to face food insecurity and inflation showing no signs of slowing, that way out feels distant.

As morning comes in Lagos, Aisha heads home with 15,000 naira in her pocket—enough for a week’s worth of food. “This isn’t who I am,” she insists. “But until Nigeria gives us something better, it’s what I have to do.” For now, the economic crisis holds her—and millions of Nigerian women—in its grip, a stark reminder of the human cost of a nation’s struggle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Femicide Crisis Grips Nigeria: A Deadly Silence That Must Be Broken.

by Women Times on

 

 

By Prosper Mene 

In Nigeria, a chilling statistic is sounding the alarm: a woman is killed by a man every 2.5 days, according to a BBC report released last week. That’s over 140 women lost each year to violence, wives, daughters, sisters—based only on cases that make it to official records. Activists say the real toll is likely far worse, hidden by a shroud of underreporting, fear, and shame. Today, March 25, 2025, women’s organizations across the country are raising their voices louder than ever, demanding action to stop what they call a “silent epidemic” of femicide—the intentional killing of women because of their gender.

The BBC’s findings, drawn from police and media logs, paint a grim picture: most of these killings happen at home, often at the hands of husbands or partners. Yet, the numbers don’t tell the full story. “For every case we hear about, there are dozens more buried in silence,” says Ololade Ajayi, founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, a group fighting for women’s rights. “Families cover it up, police dismiss it, and survivors are too scared to speak. We’re losing our women, and it’s like no one cares.”

Take the story of Fatima, a 29-year-old from Kano who narrowly escaped death last year. She told advocates her husband beat her for months, once choking her until she blacked out. “I ran away with my baby when he threatened to kill me with a knife,” she said, her voice trembling. “The police told me to go back and ‘sort it out.’ I’m alive because I didn’t listen.” Fatima’s ordeal is one of many shared today by groups like the Nigerian Women’s Collective, who are rallying in cities like Lagos and Abuja with survivor tales that cut to the bone.

What’s driving this crisis? Experts point to a toxic mix of deep-rooted patriarchy, weak laws, and a justice system that often fails women. In Nigeria, femicide isn’t even a specific crime—killings like these get lumped under general murder charges, if they’re investigated at all. “When a crime isn’t named, it’s invisible,” Ajayi argues. “We need laws that say femicide is femicide, and we need them enforced.” The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act exists, but activists say it’s too broad and poorly implemented, leaving abusers free and victims vulnerable.

Poverty and cultural norms add fuel to the fire. In many communities, women are seen as property, their worth tied to obedience. When they resist—like refusing a forced marriage or leaving an abusive home—violence often follows. A recent case in Lagos drove this home: on March 19, Peter Dike allegedly stabbed his wife to death in their Oke Ila Ilogbo home after an argument. She was the 43rd reported femicide victim this year alone, and March isn’t even over.

Women’s groups are now pushing for change with a clear list of demands: a national femicide tracking system, tougher penalties for perpetrators, and police training to take domestic violence seriously. “We can’t keep burying our daughters and calling it normal,” says Chika Oduah, a prominent activist. “This is a war on women, and it’s time society fought back.”

The government’s response? So far, it’s been muted. Officials have promised reviews of gender-based violence policies, but concrete steps remain elusive. Meanwhile, the body count rises, and the silence grows louder. For Nigeria’s women, the message today is urgent: this epidemic won’t end until the systems and the attitudes that prop it up are torn down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha.n Rejects Apology Rumors in Senate Suspension Dispute

by Women Times on

 

By Prosper Mene 

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the embattled lawmaker from Kogi Central, has categorically denied reports circulating today that she offered an apology to the Nigerian Senate over the incident that triggered her six-month suspension on March 6, 2025. The senator’s firm rebuttal intensifies an already contentious saga that has gripped Nigeria’s political landscape.

In a statement issued Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the apology claims as “baseless,” asserting her resolve to stand by her actions and statements. “I have not apologized to the Senate, and I reject any suggestion to the contrary,” she said. “These rumors are a deliberate attempt to undermine my position and confuse the public.” Her suspension stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio—claims he has denied—followed by what the Senate described as her disruptive conduct.

The controversy has thrust gender and power dynamics in Nigerian politics into the spotlight, with Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female senators in the 109-seat chamber, framing her punishment as retaliation for speaking out. “This is bigger than me,” she added. “It’s about ensuring women in this country are not silenced for demanding respect and accountability.”

The denial coincides with escalating pressure from her constituents, who reportedly submitted a recall petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 24, claiming signatures from over half of Kogi Central’s registered voters. While INEC has yet to confirm the petition’s validity, the move signals a potential new front in the senator’s battle to retain her seat.

Akpoti-Uduaghan remains defiant amid these challenges. She has legal action pending against Akpabio, seeking 100 billion naira ($64,000) in damages for defamation, and another suit contesting her suspension, with a court date set for March 25. Her recent BBC interview, where she likened the Senate to a “cult” and voiced safety fears after losing her security detail, continues to fuel public discourse.

Reactions are sharply divided. Supporters laud her as a trailblazer challenging entrenched patriarchy, while detractors argue her conduct has alienated her base, justifying the recall push. As INEC reviews the petition and her legal battles loom, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s next moves will be closely watched.

The senator urged Nigerians to “disregard the falsehoods” and promised to keep fighting for her constituents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gender Equality Crisis Deepens in Nigeria, Sparking Urgent Calls for Reform.

by Women Times on

By Mene Prosper 

A pressing gender inequality trend in Nigeria, reported by guardian Nigeria has laid bare a worsening gender equality crisis in Nigeria, igniting fresh outrage and demands for systemic change. Titled “Nigeria’s Gender Equality Crisis: Urgent Need for Reform,” the study ranks Nigeria a dismal 179th globally for women’s representation in national legislatures, spotlighting profound disparities in education, employment, and political power.  

The report arrives amid a firestorm of controversy following the Nigerian Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who recently alleged sexual harassment by a senior colleague. Activists seize on this incident as a glaring example of the entrenched sexism plaguing the nation’s corridors of power. “This is not just one senator’s story—it’s a symptom of a system rigged against women,” said Chika Okeke, a Lagos-based women’s rights advocate. The timing has only fueled public anger, with protests echoing the global themes of International Women’s Day earlier this month: rights, equality, and empowerment.

Beyond politics, the report exposes broader societal failures. Women lag significantly behind men in access to quality education and decent jobs, with economic desperation driving some to transactional sex for survival.

 

Meanwhile, violence against women surges, with at least 24 femicide cases recorded this year alone, according to Project Alert. Efforts to repeal the 2015 Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act further threaten to unravel fragile protections.

Skepticism looms large over whether this report will jolt the government into action, given its track record of inertia on gender issues. “We’ve seen reports before—words without deeds,” Okeke added. Yet, with activists amplifying their voices and women like Akpoti-Uduaghan refusing to be silenced, pressure is mounting for Nigeria to confront its gender crisis head-on—or risk leaving half its population behind.

 

 

 

 

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