By Ali Abare

As the world today marks this year’s International Women’s Day, there is nowhere the theme for the 2025 event, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” resonates more than in Nasarawa State under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Indeed, in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, Governor Sule of has emerged as a steadfast advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. Through targeted policies, inclusive governance, and grassroots initiatives, his administration has prioritized bridging gender gaps and creating opportunities for women to thrive.

The Governor’s holistic approach, melding policy, advocacy, and grassroots action, positions Nasarawa as a bastion for women’s empowerment in Nigeria. Without any iota of doubt, by investing in women’s potential, his leadership underscores the statement credited to former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon who was quoted as saying “As women thrive, so will we all.”

His transformative efforts in advancing women’s socio-economic and political participation is not only legendary but unprecedented in the history of Nasarawa State, aligning with the general call for action, not just words in priotizing women empowerment.

Since coming onboard in 2019, Governor Sule has taken deliberate steps to close the gender gap by appointing women into key areas of governance, thereby affording women in Nasarawa State the opportunity to blossom and demonstrate their leadership capacities.

The list is endless but those worthy of mention are the appointments of Justice Aisha Bashir Aliyu in April 2021 as the first female Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, as well as Abigail Iwaya as the Head of the Civil Service. These appointments were indeed unprecedented and trail blazing.

Again, for the first time in the history of Nasarawa State, a female, Hajiya Iman Suleiman Ibrahim is representing the state on the Federal Executive Council as a minister.

In another audacious move, he equally appointed Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman also as the first female Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK).

Also worthy of mention are the women Governor Sule appointed variously as Commissioners and members of the Nasarawa State executive council which include Hajiya Aisha Rufai, Dr. Margret Elayo and Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi. These amazons are continually demystifying the stranglehold of men in leadership and governance, particularly in a patriarchal society like Nasarawa State.

Recently, and in a most spectacular manner, he appointed Hawa Samuel-Judo, as the first female Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, a gesture that reflects an evolving political inclusiveness under his administration, a demonstration of gender parity far above the nominal 30 percent affirmative action.

The Governor has equally appointed several other women to superintend over key MDAs, such as Habiba Suleiman Ibrahim, Director General, Nasarawa State Agency for Human Capital Development.

In line with the policy thrust of his administration, particularly regarding economic Empowerment of women, Governor Sule launched the Nasarawa State Youth Revolving Loan Scheme in 2021, providing microloans and grants to women entrepreneurs. Partnering with the Bank of Industry, the program offers low-interest loans for agriculture, trade, and tech ventures.

In 2023, the state introduced “Project Light-Up”, training 1,200 women in solar energy installation, fostering green jobs in rural areas. Additionally, the Nasarawa Women Agro-Allied Cooperative supports female farmers with subsidized inputs and access to markets, boosting agricultural productivity.

To curb gender disparities in education, Governor Sule’s Free Girl-Child Education Initiative has enrolled 15,000 out-of-school girls since 2020. Scholarships for Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and partnerships with UNICEF ensure retention and skill development.

As additional measures toward investing in the future of women, especially in the area of healthcare, the administration upgraded 12 primary health centers to improve maternal care. According to available records, the “Zero Maternal Mortality” campaign reduced childbirth-related deaths by 40% (2020–2023) through trained midwives and emergency transport networks.

On the aspects of advocacy and legal reforms, and being a vocal proponent of gender equality, Governor Sule championed legislation to protect women. In 2022, Nasarawa domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, criminalizing domestic abuse and harmful practices like forced marriage. His advocacy also led to stricter penalties for rape and support for survivors.

Certainly, for the Governor, “Empowering women is not charity—it is a necessity for sustainable development”, a call that is wholly in line with the sole objective of the celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) every March 8 to honour women’s achievements and advocate for gender equality.

The theme for the IWD in 2025, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” is not only apt but emphasis the urgency to expedite progress toward gender parity, like is being done by Governor Sule in Nasarawa State.

This theme calls for swift, decisive measures to address systemic barriers and biases affecting women in various spheres. It encourages individuals, communities, and organisations to implement effective strategies and amplify efforts that promote women’s advancement.

For women in Nasarawa State, inclusion in leadership and governance has never been this good, particularly under the present administration, which priotizes progressive appointments and the active participation of women in leadership and governance.

Little wonder then that, in spite of his tight schedule, Governor Sule took out time to attend a symposium marking this year’s IWD, which held at the Lafia City Hall, with the First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule as the special guest of honour and organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, were he highlighted on some of the visible achievements recorded by his administration in the area of women empowerment, inclusiveness and gender parity.

Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule