The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs has announced a commitment to rigorous oversight and a comprehensive review of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs’ budgetary allocations to ensure programs are inclusive, impactful, and transparent.
During a budget defense session held yesterday at the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, emphasized that the 2026 fiscal year must mark a departure from “business as usual.” The committee expressed a firm resolve to align the Ministry’s spending with the actual needs of Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The Committee tasked the Ministry with developing programs that reach women at the grassroots level, ensuring that empowerment initiatives are not restricted to urban centers.Lawmakers indicated that the 2026 budget proposal would undergo a detailed line-by-line assessment to eliminate redundancies and prioritize high-impact projects.
A significant portion of the deliberations focused on enhancing the Ministry’s capacity to address gender-based violence (GBV) and improving the socio-economic welfare of widows and orphans. Hon. Ogbara reiterated that the Committee would utilize its oversight functions to monitor the implementation of approved funds, ensuring that every naira translates into tangible benefits for the public.
“Our goal is to see a Ministry that is proactive and responsive,” stated Hon. Ogbara. “We are not just looking at figures; we are looking at the lives that these figures are intended to transform. Moving forward, the Committee will insist on a more inclusive approach to programming that leaves no woman behind.”
In her presentation, the Minister of Women Affairs outlined the Ministry’s achievements over the past year and defended the 2026 estimates, noting that increased funding is essential to meet the rising demand for social intervention programs across the six geopolitical zones.
The Committee concluded the session by urging the Ministry to strengthen its partnership with the legislature and civil society organizations to foster a more robust environment for gender advocacy and national development.
