Introduction: Renewed Hope for Nigerian Families 

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim 

As Nigeria marked the International Day of Families, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, has announced plans to introduce three major initiatives to promote family unity, protect vulnerable children, and fight poverty at the grassroots level. These programmes are aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 

Programmes to Strengthen Families and Fight Poverty 

According to the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the initiatives will directly address the pressing issues many families face, especially in urban areas battling rising living costs, insecurity, and weakened community ties. 

The three major programmes include: 

    National Framework for Family Cohesion 

    This will be a targeted outreach programme aimed at developing a national policy that strengthens family bonds, urban resilience, and community support systems. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with state governments, NGOs, development partners, religious and traditional leaders. 

    National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children 

    This policy is designed to protect children who are outside their biological homes, ensuring they grow up in an environment filled with love, dignity, and security. It complements the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children and reaffirms the government’s commitment to every Nigerian child’s welfare. 

    National Family Strengthening and Development Programme 

    A flagship initiative designed to reduce poverty, domestic violence, and weak family support structures. The programme will target over five million Nigerians in its first phase, covering all 774 Local Government Areas through community-based efforts. 

Special Focus on Women and Children 

In addition to these three programmes, the Federal Government is also expanding the Nigeria for Women Programme, with plans to reach 4.5 million women across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. This initiative aims to empower women economically, which in turn will strengthen the family unit. 

“We remain resolute in driving structures and policies that restore dignity to caregiving and empower family units, nurture children’s potential and protect the vulnerable, support work-life balance and strengthen intergenerational bonds,” — Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim 

Call to Action 

The Minister called on all stakeholders—government agencies, Civil Society Organizations, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, and the media—to join hands in building a united front to protect and empower Nigerian families. 

These new programmes from the Federal Government signal a significant step toward addressing the deep-rooted challenges affecting families in Nigeria. By focusing on protection, empowerment, and resilience, the initiatives promise to bring real change to millions of homes across the country—especially the most vulnerable.