Nigeria advocates prioritize women's health for economic growth

At the Her Health, Her Power Conference Africa 2026 in Abuja, Nigerian officials and advocates emphasized the necessity of prioritizing women’s health to drive national development and economic growth.

Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, stated that investing in women’s health is foundational to Nigeria’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy. She called for stronger collaboration between the government, the private sector, and civil society to improve health outcomes and urged stakeholders to translate conference discussions into measurable actions.

Dr. Victory Njoku, founder of the Vickyheldan Empowerment Foundation, highlighted a gap between policy creation and practical implementation. She noted that while Nigeria has various women’s health policies, there is a critical need for systemic efforts and execution plans to reduce maternal deaths. Njoku advocated for increased community engagement and partnerships between the government and NGOs to ensure healthcare interventions reach women in rural areas.