The Director General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, has revealed plans to establish women-focused resource centres across various states in Nigeria.
This initiative, in partnership with UN Women and the Canadian High Commission, aims to support women in governance and decision-making roles.
During a two-day capacity-building workshop for Women Affairs Commissioners from Nigeria’s 36 states, Dr. Bashir emphasized that the centres will equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate political spaces effectively.
These centres will serve as hubs for leadership training, networking, and access to relevant expertise and best practices.
UN Women, represented by Deputy Country Representative Zephaniah Aura, reiterated their commitment to enhancing the professional development of Nigerian women, aiming to boost their leadership contributions.
The resource centres are designed to be centres of excellence, offering a range of services from market information to skills development in climate-smart agriculture and clean-energy cooking methods.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff, also praised the initiative, viewing it as a significant step towards gender equality and the empowerment of women in leadership roles.
He highlighted the importance of creating a supportive environment for women as they prepare for the 2027 elections, ensuring that all women, including young women and those with disabilities, have the opportunities they need to succeed.
The establishment of these centres will begin this year in states such as Ekiti, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi.
