Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has reaffirmed that the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic agenda, emphasising that inclusive participation of women is vital for national growth and competitiveness.
Speaking at a WEE convening and midpoint review in Abuja, the Minister described the forum as “a very important agenda” centred on women and, more broadly, “the future of Nigeria’s economy.”
She observed that although women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and contribute significantly across agriculture, informal trade, and entrepreneurship, they continue to encounter structural barriers.
“This is not just a social concern. It is an economic one,” she stated, stressing that excluding a large segment of the population undermines national development goals.
“Our ambition to build a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive economy cannot be achieved if a significant portion of our population remains economically marginalised,” she added.
Highlighting progress made since the rollout of the policy, Uzoka-Anite pointed to growing adoption at the state level.
“States such as Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos are already demonstrating what domestication can look like in practice, and over 20 additional states are currently advancing through the domestication process,” she said.
Reflecting on earlier engagements, the Minister noted encouraging strides in implementation.
“It is encouraging to see how far we have come since then, moving from dialogue to tangible action, from policy articulation to implementation across multiple states,” she remarked.
She, however, underscored the importance of sustained investment and accountability to translate policy into measurable outcomes.
On fiscal reforms, Uzoka-Anite disclosed ongoing efforts to refine budgeting processes to better reflect gender impact.
“We are refining our Budget Call Circulars to ensure that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies clearly demonstrate how their allocations impact women. This is about shifting from general allocation to targeted, outcome-driven budgeting,” she explained.
The Minister also stressed the role of partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms in closing funding gaps for women-led enterprises.
“Bridging the financing gap will require a deliberate effort to mobilise capital across sectors,” she noted.
Describing the review as a critical assessment point, she raised key concerns about effectiveness and coordination.
“Are we targeting the most impactful interventions? Are resources reaching the right beneficiaries? Are we effectively coordinating across federal and subnational levels? And are we seeing measurable improvements in economic outcomes for women?” she queried.
She called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and development partners to accelerate implementation.
“The WEE Costed Framework gives us a practical tool to prioritise interventions, identify financing gaps, and support collaboration. Our focus must shift decisively toward execution,” she said.
Reaffirming the broader economic benefits of empowering women, the Minister expressed confidence that insights from the review would shape future planning, including preparations for the 2027 budget cycle.
