List Of All Ministers Of Women’s Affairs And Social Development In Nigeria (1999-Present)
The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Nigeria was established to promote women’s rights, gender equality, and social welfare.
Initially set up as the Women Commission in October 1996, it became a full ministry in 1997, and ever since, its name and focus have developed.
In 2010, it was renamed the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development, and Gender Empowerment, and later in 2014, it was called the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender Empowerment, and Social Development.
The ministry was finally renamed back to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in 2019. Anyway, the ministry plays an important part in creating an enabling environment for women, children, and vulnerable groups.
It implements various laws and programs aimed at protecting rights and promoting development, including the Child’s Rights Law and the Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law. The ministry collaborates with other governmental and non-governmental organizations to achieve its objectives.
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Ministers Of Women’s Affairs And Social Development
| Minister | Term | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Aisha Ismail | 1999–2003 | PDP |
| Rita Akpan | 2003–2005 | PDP |
| Maryam Ciroma | 2005–2007 | PDP |
| Saudatu Bungudu | 2007–2008 | PDP |
| Salamatu Hussain Suleiman | 2008–2010 | PDP |
| Josephine Anenih | 2010–2011 | PDP |
| Zainab Maina | 2011–2015 | APC |
| Aisha Jummai Alhassan | 2015–2018 | APC |
| Aisha Abubakar | 2018–2019 | APC |
| Pauline Kedem Tallen | 2019–2023 | APC |
| Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye | 2023–23 October 2024 | APC |
| Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim | 23 October 2024 | APC |
Who Was The First Minister Of Women’s Affairs And Social Development In Nigeria?
Aisha Ismail was the first Minister of Women’s Affairs and Social Development in Nigeria, serving from June 1999 until May 2003.
Aisha Ismail is known for her dedication to public service and her contributions to women’s rights and social development in Nigeria.
Born in Kano, Aisha Ismail pursued her education at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria and later at the University College of Swansea in Wales, United Kingdom.
In the 1980s, Aisha Ismail made history by becoming the first female commissioner of the Kano State Executive Council.
This achievement was the beginning of her influential career in government. In 1992, she was appointed as the first Director General of the National Commission for Women.
Between 1992 and 1994, she served as a Special Envoy to the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union).
She also led delegations to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in Vienna. She served as the President of the African Regional Coordinating Committee on the Integration of Women in Development for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
During her tenure as the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and Youth Development, Aisha Ismail worked under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
One of her notable achievements was her involvement in the passage of the 2003 Child Rights Act, a significant piece of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of children in Nigeria.
Aisha Ismail was also recognized for her service to the nation. She was awarded the title of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), which is a prestigious honor in Nigeria.
In 2014, she participated as a delegate from Kano State in the National Conference. After leaving public service, Aisha Ismail focused on her private life.
Still, her legacy in public service and her contributions to women’s rights and social development continue to be remembered.
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Who Is The Current Minister Of Women’s Affairs And Social Development In Nigeria?
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is a Nigerian politician and businesswoman who currently serves as the Minister of Women’s Affairs. She was appointed to this role on October 23, 2024, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a cabinet reshuffle.
Imaan was born on April 19, 1980, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. She grew up in Abuja, the capital city, where she attended Aruwa Nursery School and later Jabi Primary School.
She completed her secondary education at the Federal Government Girls College in Bwari, Abuja. At just 19 years old, she graduated from the University of Abuja with a degree in sociology.
Continuing her studies, she attended Webster University’s London campus and earned two master’s degrees by the age of 21: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Arts (MA).
After finishing her studies, she completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program at the NNPC Kaduna zonal office.
Imaan began her career at Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) before moving to the United Kingdom, where she worked in human resources and business management.
She also became a certified SAP Human Capital Management (HCM) consultant, specializing in helping businesses improve their personnel systems. Later, she joined the Mary Kay company and eventually became a senior sales director.
Upon returning to Nigeria, she was appointed as a special adviser on strategic communication to the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, and was also named to the Nasarawa State Economic Advisory Council by Governor Abdullahi Sule in 2019.
In December 2020, Imaan was appointed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari as the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
She served in this role for six months, focusing on efforts to combat human trafficking in Nigeria. In May 2021, she was reassigned as the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, working to support and protect vulnerable groups within Nigeria.
Imaan’s commitment to public service continued when, in August 2023, she was named the Minister of State for Police Affairs by President Tinubu, making her the first woman to hold that position.
She served until October 2024, when she was appointed the Minister of Women’s Affairs. In her current role, Imaan is responsible for policies and programs to empower Nigerian women and promote gender equality.
Aside from her public service, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is also a mother of three. She is married and resides in Abuja.
Her father, S.K. Danladi, was an engineer and developer, while her mother, Aishatu Sulaiman Danladi, was a teacher. She is the second of eight children in her family.
