Nigeria, China Strengthen Ties on Women’s Economic Empowerment, Infrastructure Investment
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has co-hosted the maiden edition of the Nigeria–China Women’s Infrastructure Investment Forum in Beijing, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on gender-responsive infrastructure, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive development.
The forum, jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Mutual Commitment Group, the China Chamber of Commerce for the Petroleum Industry (CCCPI), and the Nigeria–China Friendship Association, brought together senior government officials, investors, and private-sector leaders from both countries.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “Enhancing the Participation of Women in Nigeria’s Gas Sector,” which seeks to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean energy and expand sustainable energy access for women-led enterprises and households.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the new MoU aligns with ongoing initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Women Agro Value Expansion (WAVE) Programme and the establishment of Safe Spaces and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) nationwide.
She described the engagement as a “decisive shift from policy dialogue to measurable action,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to empowering women, strengthening families, and promoting inclusive prosperity.
“Through partnerships like these, we are moving from advocacy to execution. The Renewed Hope Agenda is clear — empower women, strengthen families, and create shared prosperity,” she stated.
Group Managing Director of the Mutual Commitment Group, Mr. Liu Zhaolong, commended the forum for fostering long-term cooperation, expressing optimism about the partnership’s potential for sustainable development.
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, praised the Minister’s leadership and reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to advancing the rights and participation of women and children.
“My presence here today is a testament to the collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government. We are here to offer structural assurance that every project discussed today is supported by a strong and progressive legal framework,” Ogbara said.
Representing the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mrs. Eugenia Ojeah highlighted the role of affirmative procurement as a tool for driving equity and inclusive growth.
“This milestone seeks to empower and encourage the Nigerian woman to live her best life yet. Affirmative procurement remains a global practice for promoting inclusive participation and building stronger societies,” she noted.
Ms. Ma Li of the China Chamber of Commerce commended the Nigerian delegation and emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation in promoting gender-responsive investments and sustainable development.
The event also featured presentations from Nigerian private-sector partners, including Newbury Energy Ltd and Easy Sales Export, both of which shared experiences on empowering women as drivers of productivity and innovation under the Ministry’s Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII 774). The programme targets 10 million women across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas through initiatives in agriculture, energy, digital inclusion, and family infrastructure.
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Chinese government and all stakeholders for their support, assuring that the Ministry will commence immediate implementation of the MoU with transparency and accountability.
“These engagements are not ceremonial; they are operational blueprints for change. By investing in women, we are investing in the future of Nigeria,” she said.
