Investing in women’s health not optional, says FG

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The Federal Government has said investment in women’s health is critical to achieving Nigeria’s economic ambition of becoming a $1tn economy, declaring that improving the wellbeing of women must be treated as a foundation for sustainable development.

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The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, stated this at the maiden edition of the Her Health, Her Power Conference Africa 2026, organised by the VickyHeldan Empowerment Foundation in Abuja.

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The conference, themed “Leading with Wellness for a Sustainable Africa,” brought together stakeholders from the health, development, business, media and humanitarian sectors to discuss women’s health, empowerment and leadership.

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A statement on Monday by the foundation said the Minister, who was represented by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women’s Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said the country’s economic aspirations could not be achieved without prioritising women’s health.

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“If we are serious about a $1 trillion Nigerian economy, then investing in women’s health is not optional. It is foundational,” Suleiman-Ibrahim said.

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She said the Federal Government was strengthening policies and institutional structures to promote women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, family development and protection.

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The minister also called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for women.

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She commended the founder of the VickyHeldan Empowerment Foundation, Dr Victory Njoku, for creating a platform for stakeholders to generate commitments towards improving women’s health and empowerment.

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Suleiman-Ibrahim, however, urged participants to move beyond discussions and translate ideas generated at the conference into measurable action and tangible results.

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Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, also stressed the need to link women’s health with economic development, urging political leaders and policymakers to give greater attention to women’s access to healthcare and education.

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“Now, it is key not to separate women’s health from economic growth,” Amaechi said.

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He said people appointed to positions of responsibility should understand the relationship between economic growth and the wellbeing of women.

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Reflecting on his tenure as Rivers governor, Amaechi said his administration established health centres in every village, with each centre staffed by a medical doctor and two nurses.

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He added that the administration also paid N10,000 to women who attended antenatal care.

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Amaechi said political decisions had direct consequences for women, urging leaders to transform communities by providing hospitals, health centres and other facilities that could improve the quality of life of women and families.

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The convener of the conference, Njoku, said the initiative was established to advance women’s health across Africa by bringing together women, innovators, healthcare practitioners and advocates.

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She said the foundation would take the campaign beyond the conference through community-based outreach programmes focusing on maternal health, reproductive healthcare, mental wellness, education and leadership.

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“This is just creating a conversation, but taking action, we’re going to propel into communities through our outreach programs, focused on maternal health, reproductive care, mental wellness, education and leadership,” Njoku said.

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She expressed the hope that the initiative would expand beyond Nigeria into a broader African platform, while encouraging women to take their rightful place in conversations and decisions concerning their development, health and wellbeing.

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Participants included healthcare practitioners, entrepreneurs, public health professionals, advocates, media practitioners and other stakeholders from across the development sector.

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