Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has made a strong case for women’s empowerment, arguing that it is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Delivering his keynote address at the World Bank Group’s Women Empowerment Policy and Jobs Forum in Abuja yesterday, the minister emphasised the critical role of women in driving the country’s economic growth, saying they need to be empowered to increase their productivity.

Addressing the theme, “Women, Jobs, and Markets: Unlocking Inclusive Opportunities in Nigeria,”Bagudusaid there is an urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers that limit their full potential.

The minister noted that women across Nigeria were deeply engaged in economic activities, including farming, trading, and small-scale production, but regretted that their contributions remained largely under-recognised and undervalued.

“The issue before us is not whether women are working hard enough,” he said, adding: “It is whether we are providing them with the right opportunities to succeed.”

Bagudupointed out that many women continue to face structural challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate market access, and insufficient infrastructure and support systems.

These barriers, he explained, lead to low returns despite long hours of labour, representing not only a social concern, but also a significant economic inefficiency.

The minister stressed the need for a strategic shift from subsistence-level activities to productivity-driven enterprises, calling for investment in improved production processes, value addition, and better market integration to enable women scale their businesses and enhance their economic impact.