The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) has been launched in Katsina State, with over 40,000 women set to benefit from the initiative. The programme, which was flagged off by Vice President Kashim Shettima, aims to provide business capital to strengthen enterprises, improve household incomes, and build the economic resilience of participating women. The programme is being implemented through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), which have been established across the state.
According to Vice President Shettima, the programme is an investment in the productive capacity of women, particularly those whose opportunities are constrained by limited access to finance. He noted that beneficiaries had fulfilled eligibility requirements and demonstrated satisfactory performance in savings and group activities. Shettima urged them to sustain financial discipline and collective responsibility that enabled them to participate in the programme.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State said the programme aligned with his administration's Building Your Future agenda, which places women's economic empowerment among priorities for strengthening families, communities, and the wider Katsina economy. He commended the World Bank for investing in the programme and noted that Katsina had demonstrated strong ownership of NFWP-SU by committing matching resources alongside World Bank investment.
The programme has recorded significant progress, with over 2,393 WAGs formed in Katsina and Daura LGAs, while Funtua has also recorded substantial progress. According to the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, groups have collectively mobilised over N310 million in savings. This achievement is evidence of growing financial discipline, collective responsibility, and economic self-reliance among participants.
A beneficiary of the programme, Umma Halilu, said financial literacy training transformed her approach to business and money management. She noted that participants learned to separate business capital from personal expenses, helping them make better financial decisions. The group also provided emergency support while training boosted confidence in handling larger sums.
World Bank representative Matthew Verghis said investing in women was an investment in Nigeria's economic growth, given their contributions across agriculture, trade, processing, entrepreneurship, and community development. He commended Katsina's commitment to match every dollar invested with another dollar from its resources, saying the commitment helped facilitate expansion to all 34 LGAs.
The programme aims to strengthen businesses, raise household earnings, create employment, and give women greater control over economic decisions. With the support of the World Bank and the commitment of the Katsina State government, the programme is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of women in the state.
Key points
- Over 40,000 women in Katsina State to benefit from NFWP-SU.
- Programme aims to provide business capital to strengthen enterprises and improve household incomes.
- World Bank estimates that closing gender gaps could generate $22.9 billion, equivalent to 5.8 per cent of Nigeria's GDP.
