The Federal Government has set aside N500 million to empower women interested in leather goods and footwear manufacturing. The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who spoke on Monday, said the decision was part of deliberations at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Giving clarity to the policy, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the approval grants the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology the mandate to supply starter packs for leather and footwear manufacturing, a sector where women play a crucial role.
The minister described the initiative as an exciting development for women because it will encourage women’s participation in an industry with high potential for economic growth.
She said, “We pushed for a portion of this intervention to be allocated to women, ensuring they have the necessary tools to scale their businesses and contribute to local production.”
The minister said the intervention, apart from empowering women entrepreneurs, will contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In a separate remark, Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted an unprecedented trend during this year’s Ramadan—declining food prices.
She attributed the development to the administration’s well-thought-out policies, which were praised during both the caucus and National Economic Council (NEC) meetings.
“For the first time, even during Ramadan, food prices are going down. This is a testament to the success of our policies, and Mister President was applauded for this achievement,” she noted.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the welfare of all citizens, particularly women, the minister expressed gratitude for policies targeted at ensuring the affordability and accessibility of food during the fasting period.
“This means that during Ramadan, families can cook and put food on the table, which is very important,” she added.
