By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Katsina State has earned national recognition for its strides in advancing women’s economic inclusion, with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) praising the state’s commitment to implementing the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy.
The commendation came during a working visit by NGF consultant, Dr. Asma’u Leo, who led a series of stakeholder engagements aimed at assessing the progress of the policy’s domestication and implementation in the state.
The National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, currently being rolled out in 15 states across the country, is designed to strengthen women’s participation in economic activities through targeted state-level reforms and programmes.
During her visit, Dr. Leo met with senior government officials and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to evaluate ongoing efforts and explore areas for deeper collaboration.
Leading the discussions was the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Abdullahi, who highlighted the state government’s initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and economic prospects of women and vulnerable groups.
She noted that the administration remains focused on creating opportunities that enable women to contribute meaningfully to economic growth while improving their standard of living.
The consultant also held separate meetings with key officials, including the Commissioners for Health, Youth and Sports Development, Rural and Social Development, Information and Culture, Livestock Development, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as the Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA).
During the engagements, the officials showcased various programmes promoting entrepreneurship, healthcare access, vocational training, youth development, social protection, and rural empowerment, all of which have positively impacted women across the state.
They maintained that the interventions align closely with the objectives of the national policy and are helping to expand economic opportunities for women at the grassroots.
Speaking after the consultations, Dr. Asma’u Leo expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded in Katsina, describing the state as one of the frontrunners in implementing the policy.
She said the achievements recorded by the state could serve as a valuable model for other participating states seeking to strengthen women’s economic empowerment initiatives.
The visit forms part of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum’s broader effort to support states in promoting inclusive growth and ensuring that women play a greater role in driving economic development across the country.
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