Federal Government Commissions Livelihood Collectives In Abia, Reaffirms 2026 As Year Of Social Development

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment with the commissioning of sixty livelihood collectives under the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP) in Abia State.

Leading the delegation, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the initiative as a strategic intervention of the Federal Government aimed at strengthening women’s income base, reducing economic vulnerability, and advancing inclusive growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister emphasized that no national development effort can succeed without a strong policy framework that prioritizes women’s economic empowerment. She noted that empowering women significantly reduces their exposure to violence and dependency, stressing that 2026 has been declared by the President as the “Year of Social Development and Families,” with a clear target of achieving measurable social equity before 2031.

The Minister expressed delight that over 73,000 women across Ohafia, Isialangwa North, and Obingwa LGAs have benefited from the pilot phase of the project, with sixty functional collectives established. She encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace entrepreneurship and sustainability, assuring that the scale-up phase will extend support to no fewer than 150,000 women.
The Nigeria For Women Project, supported by the World Bank, is a collaborative initiative between the Federal Government and participating states designed to strengthen women’s groups, improve access to productive assets, deepen financial inclusion, and expand market opportunities.

At Osusu Abala in Isialangwa North LGA, the commissioning of the Livelihood Collective Oil Processing Factory further underscored the Federal Government’s grassroots-driven approach to economic empowerment. The project demonstrates practical federal-state collaboration aimed at moving women from subsistence to sustainability.

In her remarks, the Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, commended the Federal Government and development partners for their sustained support, noting that the initiative stands as proof that when vision aligns with commitment, communities thrive. She urged the women to take full ownership of the project and maximize its benefits.

The Task Team Leader, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, reaffirmed the commitment of development partners to scaling up the intervention, praising both the Federal and Abia State Governments for prioritizing women’s economic empowerment.

In an interview with Journalists after the commissioing, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs,  Dr. Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, described the commissioning as a historic milestone, highlighting the synergy between the Federal Government, Abia State Government, and the World Bank in transforming lives at the grassroots.

She said the facility symbolises effective collaboration between the Federal Government, the Abia State Government and the World Bank.

Aghukwa commended Governor Otti and his wife for their sustained commitment to women centred development, noting that their support and advocacy were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.

She said the administration’s focus on inclusive growth has created an enabling environment for women to move from subsistence to sustainable enterprise.She ,however,  stressed that the facility also  symbolizes opportunity, dignity, and sustainable economic empowerment for women in the state.

The event drew the presence of federal officials, representatives of development partners, traditional rulers, community leaders, and women’s groups, reinforcing the Federal Government’s resolve to build a socially equitable and economically inclusive Nigeria through deliberate investment in women and families.