The Niger State Government has received a significant boost in its efforts to empower more than 75,000 women across the state. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago approved N1 billion as counterpart funds for the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), a World Bank initiative aimed at improving women’s livelihoods. This approval fulfills the Governor’s commitment made during his visit to the Hazaka Women Affinity Group earlier this year in Tufa Community, Gurara Local Government Area.
The project involves constructing 41 collective centers to function as processing mills for the registered women across Gurara, Agaie, and Wushishi Local Government Areas. These centers, designated for rice, groundnut, and shea butter processing, are currently under construction, with oversight by Deputy Chief of Staff Sadiq Yusuf and State Project Coordinator Bello Sarki to ensure timely completion before the official launch.
Upon completion, these centers are expected to enhance women’s economic independence, elevate their livelihoods, and contribute to food security. Governor Bago has directed the Ministries of Education and Humanitarian Affairs to purchase the processed products from these women for school feeding programs and other humanitarian services.
The collaboration between the state government and the World Bank aims to unite women, strengthen their social and economic standing, support their households, ensure food security, and foster the establishment of cooperatives and savings groups among them, as highlighted in a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Bologi Ibrahim.
