The Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman, on Thursday declared that the 2026 Women Mega Empowerment and Rally represent a decisive “movement from participation to power,” as Nigerian women mobilize under a unified national platform.
Speaking at a world press briefing in Abuja, Suleiman said the initiative, themed “The Power of 10 million: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice,” marks a turning point in how women engage with governance and development in Nigeria.
“This represents a transformative shift. It signals a movement from participation to power, from inclusion to influence, and establishes women not just as stakeholders but as organized constituents with voice, structure and agency.”
She described the rally as more than an event, calling it “an awakening” driven by growing national momentum among women across the country.
“What we are witnessing is not a programme but a paradigm shift,” the minister said, adding that “the voices of women are rising, not in fragments, but in force.”
Suleiman linked the initiative to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his administration for prioritizing women, children and vulnerable groups.
She said, Women are not beneficiaries, they are drivers of transformational change, stressing that inclusive growth remains fundamental to national progress.
She also acknowledged the role of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a consistent advocate for women and families.
“Her work transcends ceremonial duty,” Suleiman noted. “It reflects a deep personal commitment to building a Nigeria that is inclusive and responsive to all.”
On the economic importance of the initiative, the minister emphasised that empowering women is critical to achieving national prosperity.
“Empowerment of women is not a social gesture, it is an economic imperative,” she said. “When women are empowered, the nation multiplies its productivity.”
She revealed that the ministry is driving this vision through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774 programme, targeting women across all local government areas with grants, skills training and enterprise support.
According to her, the rally scheduled for May 5 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium will serve as both a mobilization platform and an empowerment pipeline.
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“This rally is not symbolic, it is strategic. It is a demonstration of the collective strength of Nigerian women.”
Suleiman added that the event would deliver three major outcomes: endorsement of President Tinubu ahead of the general election, presentation of a national charter of women’s demands, and integration of women’s groups across Nigeria’s 9,410 wards.
Clarifying logistics, she said the rally would hold in Abuja with representatives from across the country, rather than assembling millions in one location.
“It’s not about bringing 10 million women into one stadium,” she explained. “It is about mobilising 10 million voices and ensuring empowerment reaches the grassroots.”
Earlier, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the initiative as unprecedented and urged women to take ownership of the narrative around government reforms.
“We are not telling the story enough,” she said. “But when women come together, they can speak more powerfully than anyone.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Zainab Ibrahim, reiterated that the initiative is designed to unify Nigerian women across divides.
“This is not just a rally, it is a movement,” she said. “It will allow women to think, plan and act as one for collective progress.”
Organisers said the rally, expected to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature delegates from every ward nationwide, with thousands of volunteers already mobilised to support the programme.
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