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By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Sunday launch the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) in Katsina State, opening a new chapter in efforts to expand economic opportunities for thousands of women across the state.
The launch will also mark the flag-off of the Community Investment Fund (CIF), a major component of the programme designed to provide direct financial support to women in Daura and Funtua Local Government Areas.
Katsina State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, disclosed this at a press conference ahead of the event, saying no fewer than 57,432 women are expected to benefit from the fund.
She described the intervention as a significant step towards strengthening women’s economic participation, particularly among poor and vulnerable households.
According to the programme framework, beneficiaries will be organised into Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), providing them with platforms to save collectively, access financial and non-financial services, grow their businesses and establish stronger links with markets.
The initiative is expected to move beyond direct financial assistance by creating a support network through which women can develop sustainable livelihoods and improve their economic independence.
World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist and Task Team Leader for the Nigeria for Women Programme, Michael Ilesanmi, stressed that the initiative was deliberately designed to be inclusive.
He said every eligible woman aged 18 and above in participating communities could take part, including persons living with disabilities.
“Every woman aged 18 and above in the implementing communities is eligible to participate,” Ilesanmi said, adding that the programme was structured to ensure that vulnerable groups were not left behind.
He noted that women living with disabilities were already participating actively and recording successes in Katsina State.
According to him, the programme does not discriminate on the basis of background, as long as participants meet the eligibility requirements within the implementing communities.
Ilesanmi further explained that participation in the Women Affinity Groups would enable beneficiaries to build social capital, which could subsequently help them gain better access to financial, economic and civic opportunities.
The emphasis on group participation is expected to encourage savings, mutual support and enterprise development while strengthening the ability of women to access markets and other economic services.
The Katsina launch is expected to attract senior Federal and State Government officials, development partners, women’s groups and other stakeholders involved in promoting women’s economic empowerment.
The event is also expected to highlight ongoing efforts by the Katsina State Government and its development partners to expand opportunities for women and strengthen household livelihoods.
With more than 57,000 women targeted under the Community Investment Fund, the NFWP-SU launch represents a major intervention aimed at bringing more women into productive economic activities.
For beneficiaries in Daura and Funtua, the programme is expected to provide not only access to funding but also opportunities to build businesses, strengthen savings habits, connect with markets and participate more actively in their communities.
As Vice President Shettima formally launches the programme on Sunday, Katsina will begin a new phase in its efforts to deepen women’s economic inclusion and create pathways for vulnerable women to build more sustainable livelihoods.
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