By Ehis Agbon
Abuja, Nigeria – October 7, 2025 — Kaduna State has been named the Best Government Supporting Women and Their Families at the 9th edition of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW 2025), held in Abuja.
The award, a prestigious national recognition, celebrates governments and institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusivity. Kaduna emerged winner for its groundbreaking policies and reforms under the leadership of Governor Senator Uba Sani.
Organisers of the event spotlighted several initiatives introduced by the Kaduna government, including the approval of a Women Affirmative Procurement Policy, the roll-out of Gender Responsive Procurement, and the creation of a Gender Responsive Department within the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA). A dedicated Gender Desk was also set up in KADPPA to enforce inclusivity standards across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Delivering goodwill remarks, Dr. Nita Byack George, a respected administrator and advocate for women’s empowerment, hailed Governor Sani’s administration for institutionalising gender inclusivity.
“As someone who has dedicated years to advocating for women’s health, empowerment, and leadership inclusion at both national and international levels, I am heartened to see the real impact of deliberate, gender-responsive governance,” she said.
Dr. George further described Kaduna’s reforms as a “model for other states across Nigeria to emulate,” stressing that the state was not merely speaking about inclusivity but entrenching it through policy and practice.
The VOW Conference and Awards, widely regarded as Nigeria’s flagship platform for advancing gender equity and social inclusion, drew participants from government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector.
With this recognition, Kaduna has reinforced its reputation as a progressive, people-centred government, prioritising women’s empowerment, inclusive economic growth, and family welfare through deliberate policy action and institutional reforms.
