Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has underscored the importance of enacting bold actions in addressing structural inequalities hindering women’s progress across the continent.
In his opening speech at the launch of the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria on Monday, the President called for concerted efforts to empower women and girls, highlighting their pivotal role in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The President also stressed the importance of promoting legislation and policies safeguarding women’s rights, investing in girls’ education and skills development, and fostering inclusive economic opportunities.
Central to this agenda, he said, is the full implementation of the Student’s Loan Act, aimed at ensuring unhindered access to education for all young people in Nigeria.
“It is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to continue to take bold and decisive actions to eliminate the structural inequalities that hold women back on the continent. We must be conscious of the fact that the empowerment of women and girls is essential to achieving each of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“We must work together to promote laws and policies that protect and promote women’s rights, invest in girls’ education and skills development, and create economic opportunities that are accessible to all. For us in Nigeria, the full operationalization of the Student’s Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act is key to achieving these goals as it will ensure that all young people have unhindered access to education.”
Additionally, Tinubu stated that the Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is rolling out a N50,000 non-repayable grant programme benefiting one million Nigerians, particularly women and youth engaged in Nano businesses and skilled trades.
In addressing gender-based violence and enhancing learning opportunities for girls, the President reaffirmed the commitment to creating safe and conducive environments for their success across various fields, from politics to engineering, science, technology, sports, and the creative economy.
“We will continue to work to end gender-based violence and increase learning opportunities for girls, in safe and conducive environments. These measures will enable more women to succeed in different vocations and properly shape their future endeavours, from politics to engineering, science, technology, sports and the creative economy. While I commend the African First Ladies for the #WeareEqual campaign, more mentorship is needed to help our girls embrace their cultural identities and traditions proudly.
“As Africans, we believe in wholesome society. We are family-oriented, and we value the collective well-being of all. It is our duty as parents and guardians to teach our girls our cherished cultural values and traditions. Africans are known for warm hospitality and generosity. Our can-do-spirit also imbues us with the ability to thrive in challenging environments and circumstances. We are who we are. We are Africans.”
The President reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to ensuring every Nigerian child’s access to quality education, emphasising the campaign’s potential to empower educated girls to drive positive change and transform African communities.
“I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian child is excluded from quality education that prepares women and girls to lead and bring positive changes to our communities. Let us carry forward this campaign, which promises to give an educated girl-child the potential to bring the necessary change and transform African communities for the better. It is now my honour to launch the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria. I wish you all a fruitful deliberation. And I enjoin you to enjoy your stay in our beautiful country.”
Chioma Kalu
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