Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday declared that Nigeria’s women will play a central role in achieving Africa’s projected $29 trillion economy by 2050.
The Vice President made this assertion while declaring open the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference and launching the Project #SheIsIncluded at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
In his remarks at the event, Shettima emphasised that Nigeria’s economic trajectory is closely tied to Africa’s future. He highlighted that as the continent’s most populous nation, Nigeria must lead the way in bridging gender gaps to promote sustainable growth.
Speaking on the importance of demographics, the Vice President pointed out that Nigeria, which is home to one in every four Black people, is expected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, surpassing the United States. With women comprising half of the country’s population, their empowerment is essential for the nation’s and the continent’s progress.
In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Shettima described the Gender Inclusion Conference as more than just a policy discussion. He termed it “a bold statement of responsibility towards Nigeria and Africa’s economic transformation.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that gender inclusion becomes “a reality in motion,” one that will lead to tangible economic outcomes.
Shettima stressed that integrating women into both economic and financial systems is central to Nigeria’s growth plan, adding that the goal is not only to acknowledge the urgency of bridging gender gaps but also to ensure that policies translate into measurable progress.
“This is a bold statement that we understand the magnitude of our responsibility, not just to Nigeria, but to the entire African continent. One in every four Black people is a Nigerian, and by the end of this century, Nigeria will be the most populous nation on Earth. By 2050, we will surpass the United States to become the third most populous country globally. Numbers count,” he said.
He continued, “Half of our population are women, and wherever Nigeria goes, that’s where Africa goes. Hence, the Gender Inclusion Conference is not just another gathering of policymakers and stakeholders; it is a clear acknowledgment that we understand the magnitude of our responsibility. We are marching Africa towards a projected $29 trillion economy by 2050, and Nigeria’s role in this transformation is unquestionable.”
The Vice President further stated that the conference reaffirmed Nigeria’s blueprint for integrating economic and financial inclusion into the country’s growth agenda, underscoring that this is not just a concept, but a “reality in motion.”
He explained, “The task before us is not just to recognise the urgency of bridging gender gaps in financial inclusion, but to ensure that our efforts lead to tangible outcomes.”
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,” builds on the 2024 Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion. It highlights Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5): gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
“We cannot build the Nigeria or Africa we envision without fully integrating women into our economic systems. Women are not just participants in our economy; they are leaders, innovators, and the bedrock of sustainable development,” the Vice President added.
Project #SheIsIncluded, he explained, is based on four key pillars: education and financial literacy, maternal healthcare, gender-sensitive policies and programmes, and expanded economic opportunities for women.
Shettima also announced that the initiative will reach all 774 local government areas across Nigeria to ensure that no woman is left behind.
“Our commitment to gender inclusion is not a cosmetic performance to placate the sensibilities of progressives; it is a fundamental pillar of our national development agenda. We are not just assuring the women of Nigeria of their place in our collective journey—we are creating the pathways for them to lead the charge,” he said.
The project, he noted, is not about meeting quotas, but about unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s people to drive broader economic goals, as set out by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The initiative will be spearheaded by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion, in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“To build an inclusive economic ecosystem where all Nigerians, regardless of gender, can contribute and benefit, we must redouble our efforts and align with global best practices. We must be relentless in our pursuit of SDG 5—achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls,” he affirmed.
Shettima further emphasised that the two-day conference was not merely a forum for discussion but a platform for serious reflection and strategic planning on how to build an inclusive nation. He called on both public and private sector stakeholders to take the opportunity to outline actionable steps towards active participation in the gender inclusion agenda.
“I look forward to the recommendations that will emerge from this conference, knowing that they will shape the future of gender inclusion in Nigeria,” the Vice President concluded.
In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described the conference as an important milestone in the collective effort to break barriers and empower women. She emphasised that gender inclusion is crucial for sustainable development and for addressing poverty, stressing that it should translate into financial independence, wealth creation, and leadership opportunities for women across all sectors.
The Chief Justice assured that the judiciary would continue to work in partnership with stakeholders to ensure that women’s rights to access economic resources and property ownership are protected, free from the influence of individuals or outdated cultural practices.
In a recorded message, Dr Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said the conference marked a critical step in Nigeria’s journey toward gender inclusion and women’s empowerment, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Gender equality and inclusion is not just an aspiration; it is the foundation for sustainable development, peace, and growth across the world. When women are empowered, communities thrive, economies grow, and societies advance,” Dr Mohammed said.
Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), spoke on the significance of VP Shettima’s support for inclusive growth, noting that it is central to the agenda of the National Economic Council (NEC). He described the “She’s Included” conference as a key step in breaking barriers and empowering women across Nigeria.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, highlighted the conference as a unique opportunity to strengthen strategic frameworks for dismantling barriers to women’s empowerment.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State reaffirmed his state’s commitment to gender and economic inclusion, citing various state government initiatives supporting women in agriculture, commerce, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Similarly, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State expressed his support for women’s empowerment, particularly through the state’s free girl-child education policy, which tracks educational progress across the state.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State commended the initiative, noting that his administration is focused on policies to uplift women and harness their productive potential.
The conference also featured contributions from key figures in the private sector, including Mr. Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and GMD of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, and Mr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs and GMD/CEO of UBA Group, who both emphasised the economic imperative of women’s inclusion.
Other notable attendees included the CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, as well as first ladies from Jigawa and Katsina states, CEOs of financial institutions, and other partners.