Women Affairs Minister Urges LG Chairmen to Strengthen Grassroots Social Protection Delivery
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim , has called on Local Government Chairmen to play a more active role in delivering inclusive social protection and grassroots development to Nigerians.
This was contained in a statement issued by Ahmed Danbazau, Head of the Ministry’s Press and Public Relations Unit.
Speaking in Abuja today at a stakeholder engagement organized by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, the Minister stated that Local Governments are the closest tier to the people and the most strategic partners in reaching vulnerable households
“We are gathered at a defining moment in our national journey toward inclusive governance, social equity, and sustainable development under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.
She noted that the engagement, themed “Strengthening Local Government Leadership for Inclusive Development and Social Protection Delivery,” focuses on ensuring that no woman, child, family, or vulnerable citizen is left behind.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated further that the Ministry recognizes LG Chairmen as the first point of contact for millions of Nigerians seeking protection, empowerment, and access to social services. She stressed that their role is critical in identifying vulnerable households, supporting women-led initiatives, mobilizing communities, and ensuring government interventions reach those who need them most.
The Minister highlighted the *Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774)* as a flagship programme designed to deepen grassroots empowerment, expand opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, as well as strengthen community-based social protection across all 774 LGAs.
She described the *National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up (NASSP-SU)* as a key platform for improving the efficiency and transparency of social protection delivery, adding that the credibility of the National Social Register depends on accurate data generated at the community level, making LG Chairmen indispensable to the process.
On identification, she urged LGAs to intensify community-level sensitization and enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN), saying it would help bridge exclusion gaps for women, persons with disabilities, rural dwellers, and other marginalized populations.
Hajiya Imaan further linked the engagement to the *National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally*, launched by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu under the theme “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice.” The initiative aims to mobilize Nigerian women and communities in support of inclusive development, economic empowerment, and family cohesion.
She appealed to all LG Chairmen to identify with and actively support the movement as partners in building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria.
