In a bold step toward gender equality and economic empowerment, Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that women will be at the forefront of Africa’s projected $29 trillion economic transformation.
Speaking at the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that gender inclusion is not just a commitment but a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s development agenda. He also launched Project #SheIsIncluded, an initiative designed to bridge gender gaps in finance and the broader economy.
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” builds on the 2024 Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“We cannot build the Nigeria or Africa we envision without fully integrating women into our economic systems,” Shettima said. “Women are not just participants in our economy; they are leaders, innovators, and the bedrock of sustainable development.”
Project #SheIsIncluded: A Nationwide Initiative
The Vice President outlined the four key pillars of the initiative:
• Education and Financial Literacy
• Maternal Healthcare
• Gender-Sensitive Policies and Programs
• Expanded Economic Opportunities for Women
The initiative will reach all 774 local government areas across Nigeria, ensuring that no woman is left behind in the country’s economic transformation.
“Our commitment to gender inclusion is not a cosmetic performance to placate progressives—it is about unlocking the full potential of our people to drive economic growth,” Shettima added.
The project will be spearheaded by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and key private sector stakeholders.
A Nationwide Commitment to Gender Equality
Several high-profile figures also reaffirmed their support for gender inclusion at the event:
• Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, emphasized the judiciary’s role in protecting women’s rights and ensuring access to economic resources.
• Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Dr. Amina Mohammed, called gender inclusion a foundation for sustainable development, urging investments in women’s empowerment.
• Governors of Kaduna, Jigawa, and Edo States highlighted their states’ policies supporting women’s empowerment and economic inclusion.
• Financial sector leaders, including UBA Group CEO Oliver Alawuba and Moniepoint GMD Tosin Eniolorunda, pledged to support initiatives that drive financial inclusion for women.
As the conference concluded, Vice President Shettima called for public and private sector collaboration to ensure that gender inclusion moves beyond policy discussions to tangible, impactful actions.
“This initiative is about building a future where Nigerian women are not just included but are leading the charge in our economic transformation,” he said.
