Nigeria to Lead African Delegation at 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York

Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim announces Nigeria will lead the African States Group at UN CSW70, highlighting social protection and women's rights progress.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 3:42 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Strengthening Africa’s Collective Voice at the UN

The Federal Government of Nigeria has positioned itself to take a central leadership role at the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, revealed during a press briefing in Abuja that Nigeria will not only advance its own national priorities but will also speak on behalf of the African States Group. This strategic involvement is intended to unify the continent's stance on gender equality and ensure that African perspectives are integrated into the shaping of global human rights norms. The mission will be a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s permanent mission to the UN.

Showcasing Domestic Policy Triumphs

Nigeria’s leadership bid is backed by a series of legislative and policy milestones achieved over recent years. The Minister cited the nationwide implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child Rights Act as foundational protections now active across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Additionally, the National Gender Policy and the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy have provided institutional frameworks for systemic change. By presenting these successes on the global stage, Nigeria intends to demonstrate that it has moved beyond rhetoric into the functional implementation of gender-sensitive governance.

Successes in Social Protection and Finance

A key highlight of the upcoming presentation will be Nigeria's expansion of social safety nets, which the government reports have reached over 9.4 million households. Crucially, more than 70 percent of the beneficiaries of these interventions are women. Programs such as the "Renewed Hope" social impact initiatives have specifically targeted women across all 774 Local Government Areas, focusing on digital inclusion, clean energy access, and micro-financing. These data-driven results are expected to serve as a model for other developing nations seeking to utilize social protection as a primary tool for women's development and poverty reduction.