Abuja, Nigeria – January 30, 2025
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to gender inclusion and women’s economic empowerment at the “She’s Included Gender Inclusion Conference” held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Economic and Financial Inclusion”, the high-profile event was chaired by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON and attended by top policymakers, gender experts, financial institutions, and development partners.
Delivering a goodwill message, Governor Sani emphasized the need for collective action in dismantling systemic barriers that hinder women’s full participation in economic and financial life. He highlighted Kaduna State’s pioneering efforts in addressing gender disparities, including robust legal frameworks and policies aimed at enhancing women’s financial and economic inclusion.
Kaduna’s Bold Steps in Gender Empowerment
Governor Sani outlined several initiatives spearheaded by his administration to bolster women’s economic participation, including:
- Kaduna State Women Economic Empowerment Policy – A strategic framework to invest in women’s skills, resources, and entrepreneurial potential.
- Women Peace and Security Action Plan & Youth Peace and Security Action Plan – Focused on integrating gender-responsive policies into governance.
- Financial Inclusion Programme – Opening over 2 million bank accounts for underserved populations, with a significant percentage benefiting women.
- Support for Women Entrepreneurs – Grants for women-led businesses, ICT training for women and girls, and prioritization of women in agricultural input distribution.
- Conditional Cash Transfer Programme – Direct financial support to empower women economically.
- 2025 Women Economic Empowerment Fund – ₦5 billion allocated in the state budget to drive women-focused economic initiatives.
Gender Inclusion: An Economic Imperative
Governor Sani stressed that women’s economic empowerment is not just a moral duty but an economic necessity, essential for poverty reduction, agricultural revitalization, and strengthening small and medium enterprises. He urged policymakers to recognize women’s financial inclusion as a strategic imperative rather than an optional initiative.
National Recognition for Kaduna’s Leadership
Speakers at the conference praised Kaduna State for being the first to sign an Executive Order on Financial Inclusion, a milestone that has positioned the state as a leader in gender-responsive governance.
The conference reinforced the urgent need for collaborative efforts at the federal and state levels to break economic barriers and build resilience for Nigerian women. Governor Sani’s address underscored Kaduna’s dedication to sustainable gender inclusion as a cornerstone for national development.
