The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, on Tuesday said that the Federal Government is making challenging decisions now to ensure a better future for Nigerians.

Bagudu made the remarks at a High-Level Advisory Council meeting focused on supporting women and girls.

The meeting, organised in collaboration with the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), is part of the initiative launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 to enhance inclusivity and women’s economic empowerment.

Bagudu, who stressed the focus of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on women’s inclusiveness and empowerment, praised Nigerian women for their hard work and resilience.

He said, “Across the country, we have hard working women who rise as early as 2 a.m. to engage in trade, farming, or other activities. Their stories of dedication need to be told and supported.

“We are making tough choices now, but we believe they will lead to a better future for our young people, women, and men. Our goal is to create an equitable society where effort is rewarded and opportunities are provided.”

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, called for actionable plans to ensure women’s empowerment and inclusiveness. She criticised the overemphasis on policies without tangible results and urged immediate actions to address women’s issues.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said, “We are fed up with policies upon policies with no results. This committee is focused on actionable steps, such as providing machines for bitter leaf processing and partnering with the Nigerian Traders Association to manage them.”

Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of dRPC, commended the Minister’s commitment to addressing women’s issues and emphasised the need for practical actions. Walker said, “The dRPC supports the vision of practical actions that empower women and is committed to implementing the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy.”

The meeting underscored the need for effective strategies to empower women and address barriers they face in Nigeria.