The Federal Government says investing in women’s health is essential to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, made the declaration at the maiden Her Health, Her Power Conference Africa 2026 organised by the VickyHeldan Empowerment Foundation in Abuja.
Represented by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women’s Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the minister said the country could not achieve sustainable economic growth without improving women’s wellbeing.
“If we are serious about a $1 trillion Nigerian economy, then investing in women’s health is not optional. It is foundational,” Suleiman-Ibrahim said.
The conference, themed “Leading with Wellness for a Sustainable Africa,” brought together stakeholders from the health, development, business, media and humanitarian sectors to discuss women’s health, empowerment and leadership.
Suleiman-Ibrahim said the Federal Government was strengthening policies and institutions to promote women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, family development and protection.
She also called for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to improve health outcomes for women.
The minister urged participants to move beyond discussions and turn ideas from the conference into measurable actions and tangible results.
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi also linked women’s health directly to economic development, urging political leaders and policymakers to prioritise women’s access to healthcare and education.
“Now, it is key not to separate women’s health from economic growth,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi said political leaders must understand the connection between economic growth and the wellbeing of women.
Reflecting on his time as Rivers governor, he said his administration established health centres in every village, with each facility staffed by a doctor and two nurses.
He added that the administration paid N10,000 to women who attended antenatal care.
Amaechi urged political leaders to make decisions that improve the lives of women and families by providing hospitals, health centres and other essential facilities.
The convener of the conference, Dr Victory Njoku, said the initiative was created to promote women’s health across Africa by bringing together women, healthcare professionals, innovators and advocates.
Njoku said the foundation would take the campaign beyond the conference through community-based programmes focused on maternal health, reproductive healthcare, mental wellness, education and leadership.
“This is just creating a conversation, but taking action, we’re going to propel into communities through our outreach programmes, focused on maternal health, reproductive care, mental wellness, education and leadership,” Njoku said.
She said the foundation hoped to expand the initiative beyond Nigeria into a wider African platform while encouraging women to take a greater role in decisions affecting their health, development and wellbeing.
The conference attracted healthcare practitioners, entrepreneurs, public health professionals, advocates, media practitioners and other development-sector stakeholders.
