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Benue State has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment following a high-level advocacy visit by officials of the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) Project to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Makurdi.
The engagement, which took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, focused on deepening collaboration between the state government, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Federal Project Coordinating Unit, and the World Bank to advance the NFWP-SU initiative in Benue.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs. Theresesa Odachi Ikwue, described the visit as timely and strategic, noting that the project aligns closely with Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s development agenda, which places strong emphasis on human capital development, grassroots economic empowerment, and inclusive growth.
She expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Federal Project Coordinating Unit, and the World Bank for their continued support, while assuring the delegation of the state’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and effective project implementation.
The commissioner commended the selection of Vandeikya, Okpokwu, and Gwer East Local Government Areas for the pilot phase, expressing confidence that the intervention would significantly improve livelihoods, boost income generation, and foster peace and social cohesion in the targeted communities.
Providing an update on beneficiary participation, the ministry announced that all women in Benue State aged 18 to 70 are eligible to benefit from the program, provided they possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN). Families and community leaders were urged to support women—including mothers, wives, sisters, and elderly relatives—in obtaining their NINs to ensure full access to the programme’s economic and social benefits.
Earlier in the engagement, Mr. Afolabi Olajide of the Federal Project Coordinating Unit explained that the NFWP-SU seeks to institutionalize Women’s Affinity Groups as sustainable platforms for income generation, community development, and long-term economic resilience.
Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi, Monitoring and Evaluation Anchor for the project, confirmed that Benue is participating in the second phase, with technical support from Abuja and the recruitment of qualified civil servants from the selected LGAs to drive implementation.
Mrs. Yetunde Fatogun, Co-Task Team Leader of the NFWP-SU, highlighted that the programme is designed to address gender inequality, enhance women’s economic participation, and adhere strictly to World Bank recruitment and quality standards. She added that the next phase would include advocacy visits to the leadership of Vandeikya, Okpokwu, and Gwer East LGAs to build local ownership and momentum.
The Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up is part of a broader national effort supported by the World Bank to empower women economically, reduce poverty, and promote gender-inclusive development across participating states. Benue’s active involvement signals a renewed push toward sustainable livelihoods and community-led progress, particularly for women in rural and underserved areas.
