Women Affairs Minister Bags Vanguard 2025 Honour for Reform-Driven Leadership
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has been named the only female minister to receive the prestigious Vanguard 2025 Award, in recognition of her leadership and reform-driven performance since her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The award is scheduled to be presented on April 24, 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites. According to Vanguard’s March 2, 2026 edition, the honour reflects the Minister’s transformative impact and visible contributions to national development.
The newspaper described Sulaiman-Ibrahim as a “go-getter,” drawing comparisons with notable global figures such as Geraldine Ferraro and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, noting that her appointment underscores the administration’s confidence in women’s leadership.
Since assuming office in October 2024, the Minister has spearheaded reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, restoring public trust, and deepening strategic partnerships. Key milestones include the completion of the 18-year overdue review of the National Child Protection Policy and the launch of a National Action Plan to End Violence Against Children.
Her tenure has also seen the expansion of the Nigeria for Women Project to 4.5 million beneficiaries, operationalisation of the MOWA-SARA Skills Acquisition Programme targeting 500,000 women, and the rollout of a $50 million Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Initiative.
The Ministry established the first Women Agro-Value Expansion Centre in the Federal Capital Territory and strengthened enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, alongside the full domestication of the Child Rights Act across all states.
Stakeholders have described the recognition as timely, citing her measurable achievements in advancing women’s empowerment, child protection, justice reforms, and social protection initiatives.