By Abiodun Abdullai
Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has advanced discussions with Chinese officials to strengthen bilateral cooperation focused on women's economic empowerment, agriculture, and social development.
The engagement, held during the Beijing+30 Global Women's Summit, reinforced Nigeria's commitment to driving inclusive growth through global partnerships.
During a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Jilin Province, Mrs. Yang Andi, the Minister highlighted the strong trade potential between both nations, noting that the existing trade volume of over $150 million between Jilin and Nigeria would serve as a foundation for expanded collaboration.
"The presence of a woman like Her Excellency Mrs. Yang Andi in a powerful provincial leadership position is a strong reminder of the vital role women play in driving governance and development," Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.
She described the partnership as a strategic step under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at leveraging China's agricultural and technological expertise to empower Nigerian women and strengthen the nation's economic resilience.
"This partnership is smart economics," she said. "Through it, we are set to empower 10 million Nigerian women as economic catalysts, boosting local impact and advancing Nigeria's journey toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030."
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At the core of this initiative is the WAVE Model (Women's Advancement through Value creation and Empowerment), designed to support women in agribusiness, wealth creation, and entrepreneurship.
Recognizing that over 70 percent of Nigeria's smallholder farmers are women, the Minister emphasized that the new partnership will address barriers such as limited access to finance, tools, and training.
A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the Mutual Commitment Group (MCG) — a Chinese firm known for inclusive infrastructure development — to supply vital agricultural equipment, training, and resources to women across Nigeria.
The Minister also held a trilateral meeting at Jilin Agricultural University to explore sustainable collaborations in agricultural research, technology transfer, and human capacity development. The parties agreed to adopt the Four-Floor Agenda for Women, a framework to enhance women's participation through skill development, research, and innovation in agriculture.
Additionally, an MoU was signed to establish Safe Spaces and Referral Services across Nigeria's 774 local government areas, alongside the creation of Mega Modern SARC Centres in all six geopolitical zones to support the health and safety of women and children.
"These initiatives align with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and our mission to ensure that women are not at the margins of prosperity, but at the center of national progress," she said.
Through this partnership, Nigeria aims to strengthen food security, drive inclusive economic growth, and promote women-led innovation across the agricultural value chain.
