President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that no account of Nigeria’s journey can be told without recognising the sacrifices and resilience of women, asserting that they have remained central to nation-building from independence to the present day.

Tinubu made the remarks at the 9th Edition of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2025), held on Thursday in Abuja. In his address, he commended women for their enduring struggles through history and assured them that his administration is committed to expanding opportunities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the President noted that Nigerian women, from their roles as protectors of families to drivers of innovation and enterprise, remain the backbone of societal progress and must be empowered to influence the country’s future.

“Our ever-supportive and resilient Nigerian Women, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute the 9th Edition of the Voice of Women Conference, holding at the dawn of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, a reminder that the story of our nation is incomplete without the strength of her women,” Tinubu said. “Guided by this year’s theme, ‘Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action,’ your voices remain the heartbeat of our country; echoing, undaunted, unyielding, and rising to shape a future of equity and progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima, in his goodwill message, aligned with the President’s remarks, describing Nigerian women as the backbone of national resilience and the vanguard of the country’s future. He observed that women have consistently contributed to peace, unity, and development in ways that often go unnoticed. “The theme, ‘Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action,’ is both timely and timeless, reminding us that women are the backbone of our nation’s resilience and the vanguard of its future,” he said.

In her keynote address, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim traced the history of women’s activism in Nigeria, citing landmark events such as the Aba Women’s Protest of 1929, the Egba Women’s Revolt in the 1940s, and women-led coalitions during Nigeria’s return to democracy in the 1990s. She stated that these historic struggles underline the enduring power of collective action.
The Minister called on women to move beyond advocacy to tangible action, insisting on accountability from leaders and demanding representation at every level of decision-making. “It is no longer enough for women to celebrate historic struggles without translating them into real gains in the present,” she said. She urged women to challenge stereotypes, mentor younger generations, and support one another in overcoming barriers that restrict access to opportunities.

“These legacies remind us that when women stand together, they bend the arc of history toward justice, equity, and progress. Women must not only be seen but also heard, not only counted but also counted upon. We must rise above tokenism and push for genuine participation in political, economic, and social spheres. The Nigerian woman is not just a helper, she is a leader,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, highlighted that unity among women remains critical for breaking barriers in governance and development. She observed that greater collaboration would enhance women’s bargaining power and ensure their concerns are addressed.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya, convener of the conference, urged grassroots women to use their voting power to support women in politics, emphasising that collective action is essential for translating advocacy into tangible results.

She also called for women to maintain unity across political, religious, and ethnic lines, warning that division has historically been used to silence women.
Sonaiya appealed to President Tinubu to turn words into concrete policies, particularly those that would increase women’s representation in elective and appointive positions.

“We call on President Tinubu to ensure that his Renewed Hope Agenda translates into concrete commitments for women. Increasing women’s representation in decision-making is not a favour but a necessity for Nigeria’s growth,” she said.