Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda as the world marks 25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
In a statement by her media aide, Jonathan Eze, the Minister described the resolution as a milestone that gave the world “a new language for peace through women’s leadership and courage.”
She noted that Nigeria was among the first African countries to adopt a National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS, integrating women’s participation, protection, and leadership into peace and security efforts. Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Third National Action Plan (NAP 3) has now been approved, developed through broad consultation with government agencies, the UN, partners, and civil society.
A National Committee will soon be inaugurated to coordinate its implementation and mark 25 years of the WPS Agenda. Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted major reforms such as the establishment of Gender Desk Offices in security institutions and the adoption of gender policies by the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, and NSCDC — which she described as “bold shifts toward inclusive security governance.”
She cited recent milestones, including the appointment of the first female Deputy DG of the DSS, female Comptroller Generals of Immigration, and female PROs in both the Nigerian Army and Police. She also commended traditional leaders for giving women greater roles in community governance.
According to the Minister, 16 states and 21 LGAs have developed local WPS Action Plans, with expansion underway nationwide. Internationally, Nigeria now exceeds the UN benchmark for women in peacekeeping, with 21.2% of deployed personnel being female.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said NAP 3 aligns with the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programmes, offering a framework for empowerment, inclusion, and stability. She thanked UN Women, the Defence Headquarters, and other partners for their collaboration, reaffirming that “under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, women’s leadership will remain central to peace, stability, and progress.”
