Nigerian Women Have Power To Shape Nation’s Future – Oluremi Tinubu

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said Nigerian women possess the power to shape the nation’s future and urged them to leverage their numbers and influence to drive development.

She spoke at the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

The First Lady, in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, said women, who make up over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population, are uniquely positioned to influence change and steer the country towards greater progress.

“The significance of this gathering cannot be overstated. Women represent over 50% of the population; therefore, we are uniquely positioned to influence change and contribute our quota in steering the nation towards a greater future,” she said.

She commended the minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for her efforts to empower women, including initiatives to put financial resources directly in their hands.

The First Lady noted that empowerment programmes that enable women to make informed decisions would strengthen families and communities, adding that such efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She reiterated that the administration is committed to ensuring women have a voice in decision-making, stressing that the country’s progress has always reflected women’s contributions.

“Nigeria’s progress has always carried the imprint of women who refused to accept limits placed before them… When Nigerian women rise, Nigeria rises,” she said.

At the rally, she received the Women’s Charter for National Development and assured participants that it would be delivered to the President.

“I have received your Charter, and I assure you that I will deliver it to Mr President. This is our Charter, and we will see it to fruition,” she said.

She also acknowledged the patience and endurance of Nigerian women, noting that ongoing reforms are laying a foundation for long-term prosperity.

“The first term of Mr President has been a period of laying a solid foundation through bold and necessary reforms… the seed has been planted, and I am confident that Nigeria will continue to reap the fruits,” she added.

The First Lady further urged women and mothers not to relent in nurturing and guiding their children, stressing the importance of discipline, patriotism and moral values.

In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the rally as the emergence of a coordinated movement anchored on the alignment of 10 million Nigerian women.

She said the initiative represents a unified force aimed at transforming the country, stressing that women are not spectators in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“Nigerian women are not spectators… We are builders, drivers, and partners in progress,” she said.

The minister added that the movement seeks to shift women’s participation from inclusion to leadership, while highlighting ongoing reforms affecting women, children and vulnerable groups under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Central to the event was the presentation of the Women’s Charter for National Development, which she described as reflecting the aspirations of Nigerian women, including calls for greater political inclusion, expanded economic opportunities, and improved social welfare.

Also speaking, Wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, and Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the “Power of 10 Million Women” initiative represents a move from uncoordinated efforts to structured participation.

They said the initiative aims to connect women across the 774 local government areas into a unified bloc capable of influencing governance, economic inclusion and community development.

Earlier, the First Lady performed the symbolic distribution of empowerment items, including tricycles, power tillers, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers and freezers.

The rally brought together women from across the country to strengthen participation in national development.