More than 57,000 women in Katsina State are set to benefit from direct financial assistance under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, as Vice President Kashim Shettima prepares to officially launch the initiative in the state tomorrow.
The programme, which is a World Bank-supported intervention of the Federal Government aimed at empowering women and strengthening their economic participation, will initially cover women in Daura and Funtua Local Government Areas of Katsina State, with plans for expansion to other parts of the state in subsequent phases.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Katsina ahead of the launch, describing the initiative as a transformative intervention designed to address poverty among vulnerable households and to expand economic opportunities for women at the grassroots.
According to the Commissioner, the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to promote financial inclusion, boost livelihoods, and ensure that women, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, are not left behind in the nation’s economic development agenda.
She explained that under the programme, beneficiaries will be organised into Women Affinity Groups, WAGs, which will serve as platforms for collective savings, peer support, capacity building and access to both financial and non-financial services that will enable them to grow their small businesses and improve their income.
Hajiya Malumfashi noted that the programme is structured to encourage a savings culture among women, provide them with basic financial literacy, expose them to business management skills and link them with wider markets, financial institutions and other support services that can help them scale their enterprises.
The Commissioner said the selection of Daura and Funtua Local Government Areas for the initial phase was strategic, as the two areas represent key population centres with a large number of women engaged in small-scale farming, trading and other informal economic activities who require support to move from subsistence to sustainable business growth.
She added that the state government under Governor Dikko Umar Radda has put in place all necessary arrangements to ensure a successful launch of the programme and has also committed to providing the enabling environment for its effective implementation across the state, in line with its agenda for inclusive development.
According to her, the Katsina State Government is fully aligned with the objectives of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, noting that empowering women is not just about supporting individual households but also about strengthening the entire economy, as women play critical roles in agriculture, trade and family welfare.
Hajiya Malumfashi revealed that community sensitization and mobilisation activities have already been carried out in the benefiting local government areas, with traditional rulers, religious leaders and women leaders actively engaged to ensure that eligible and vulnerable women are identified and incorporated into the programme without bias.
She further explained that the Women Affinity Groups will be trained on group dynamics, leadership, record keeping, savings mobilisation and utilisation of grants, to ensure that the funds provided translate into tangible and lasting improvements in their economic status and overall quality of life.
The Commissioner also emphasised that the programme goes beyond cash disbursement, as it includes linkages to health services, education on nutrition and family well-being, as well as support for overcoming social norms and barriers that have historically limited women’s ability to participate fully in economic activities.
She said the expected impact of the programme in Katsina State will be significant, as over 57,000 women will receive direct support that will enable them to expand their businesses, support their families, contribute to household income and become more financially independent and resilient.
The Vice President’s visit to Katsina for the launch, according to the Commissioner, demonstrates the commitment of the Federal Government to the empowerment of women and its determination to ensure that the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up achieves its intended objectives across all participating states of the federation.
She called on beneficiaries to make judicious use of the financial assistance and other support that will be provided, stressing that the sustainability of the programme depends largely on the commitment, discipline and business prudence of the women who will benefit from it.
Hajiya Malumfashi also appealed to stakeholders, including community leaders, civil society organisations and the media, to support the implementation of the programme by creating awareness, monitoring progress and providing feedback that will help improve delivery and ensure that the benefits reach those who need them most.
As Katsina State awaits the official launch tomorrow, expectations are high among women in Daura and Funtua Local Government Areas, many of whom see the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up as a timely intervention that will bring relief, expand opportunities and open new doors for economic growth and self-reliance.
With over 57,000 women targeted in the state, the initiative is projected to contribute significantly to poverty reduction, job creation and inclusive economic growth in Katsina State, while also serving as a model for women empowerment that other states can replicate and build upon.
