Yesterday, as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, I had the privilege of presiding over the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget Defence Session. The Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, together with her agency, appeared before the Committee to present and defend their proposal. The session was attended by distinguished members of the committee, the Clerk, the Secretariat, and other key stakeholders.
While speaking at the budget defence, I emphasized that this exercise was not merely a procedure but a vital accountability forum in which policies, programmes, and fiscal projections must reflect the lived realities of Nigerian women and girls. I noted that the proposal embodies the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a focus on combating gender-based violence, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening social protection, improving maternal health, advancing rural women’s development, and deepening women’s political participation.
Our review was impact-oriented, the committee scrutinized performance indicators, assessed sustainability strategies for ongoing empowerment initiatives, and reinforced the need for inclusive budgeting that addresses the concerns of vulnerable and marginalized women. We also highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration, supported by transparent monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure measurable outcomes.
As we await further consideration and approval by the National Assembly, I remain confident that, with robust parliamentary backing, effective partnerships, and the unwavering resilience of Nigerian women themselves, we will deliver measurable impact and renewed hope to millions across our nation.
