By Toyin Hakeem, Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for greater inclusion of women in Nigeria’s peace and security architecture, saying sustainable national security can only be achieved when women are actively involved in decision-making and leadership.
The minister made the call at the maiden Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026, organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where she was also invested as a National Patron of the association.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said women and children continue to bear the greatest burden of insecurity across the world, accounting for the majority of people displaced by conflict and victims of violence. She noted that global evidence has consistently shown that peace agreements are more durable, governance becomes more inclusive and communities recover faster when women participate meaningfully in peacebuilding and security processes.
She said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is advancing women’s leadership through key policies and programmes, including the National Gender Policy, reforms to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act, as well as the recently approved Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for 2025–2030.
The minister also highlighted President Tinubu’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Social Development and Families, describing the family as the foundation of national peace and stability. She added that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is implementing the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774 to strengthen social protection and improve the lives of vulnerable women, children and families across the country’s 774 local government areas.
Describing women journalists as strategic partners in nation-building, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said they play a vital role in shaping public opinion, exposing injustice, countering misinformation and amplifying the voices of vulnerable groups. She urged members of NAWOJ to continue promoting responsible journalism that advances peace, inclusion and national development.
The minister also encouraged women to participate actively in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections through the “10 Million Voices, One Voice, One Movement, One Choice” initiative, which she described as a platform for strengthening women’s participation in governance and nation-building.
Earlier, NAWOJ National Chairperson, Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim, said the Women in Security Summit and Awards was established to recognise the outstanding contributions of women serving in the military, police, intelligence agencies, correctional services, journalism, humanitarian work and other sectors advancing peace and national security.
She said the summit provides a platform for dialogue among policymakers, security institutions, the media, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Aishatu Ibrahim also announced that her administration had secured a permanent site and obtained the Certificate of Occupancy for NAWOJ’s National Secretariat after nearly 38 years, describing it as a landmark achievement for the association. She appealed to governments, corporate organisations and development partners to support the construction of a befitting national headquarters for NAWOJ.
Also speaking, Chairperson of the NAWOJ Board of Trustees and veteran broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola, called for stronger collaboration between NAWOJ and security agencies, stressing that women should no longer be seen only as victims of insecurity but as indispensable partners in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and national development. She also paid tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty and urged media professionals to continue reporting security issues responsibly and professionally.
The summit attracted senior government officials, representatives of security and intelligence agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, traditional rulers, commissioners, women leaders, media professionals and distinguished award recipients, with participants reaffirming their commitment to strengthening partnerships that will promote peace, justice, security and greater opportunities for women across Nigeria.