Nigeria for Women Programme Scales Up with Launch of Happy Woman App to Digitally Empower 25 Million Women

On February 6, 2026, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, officially launched the scale-up of the Nigeria for Women Programme. The expanded initiative is set to reach 25 million women across the country, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to women’s economic inclusion and national development.

A key component of the programme is the introduction of the Happy Woman App, a digital platform designed to connect women to finance, markets, skills development, essential services, and government support. The scale-up builds on a successful pilot in six states that reached over one million women, demonstrating the transformative potential of empowering women economically.

Vice President Shettima emphasized the central role of women in driving sustainable growth, family stability, community resilience, and national productivity. The initiative aligns with the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria, promoting coordinated action across all levels of government.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, highlighted the whole-of-government approach, ensuring ministries, agencies, and states work collaboratively to achieve the programme’s objectives. Key partners, including the World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and state governments, pledged technical, financial, and institutional support to enhance access, strengthen families, and improve socio-economic outcomes.

The programme also integrates Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, placing Nigeria among a select group of countries globally to achieve this milestone. Participating states, such as Katsina, have allocated dedicated funding of ₦4 billion to support programme implementation, reflecting strong collaboration between federal and state governments.