The African Development Bank, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and UN Women Nigeria have launched the Nigeria Gender Profile and Roadmap to Equality 2030, a framework that advances a clear pathway for gender equality and inclusive growth in Nigeria.
The launch held on Wednesday 24 June, advances Nigeria's development agenda, bringing together government, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to drive coordinated action on gender equality and women's empowerment.
As part of the Bank Group's Country Gender Profiles programme implemented across Africa, Nigeria's Gender Profile and Roadmap joins a growing body of country profiles, providing tailored evidence on gender disparities across key sectors, including the economy, education, health, leadership, governance, and protection from gender-based violence. Designed as a deliberate dual-approach framework, the Profile delivers a rigorous diagnosis of structural gaps, while the roadmap translates these insights into clear, institution-level solutions.
A defining feature of the report is its shift from analysis to delivery. While gender assessments in Nigeria are not new, this framework moves beyond diagnosis by pairing evidence with a concrete, action-oriented 2030 Roadmap outlining priorities across eight priority areas.
At its core, these elements position gender equality as a whole-of-economy priority. The report adopts a cross-sectoral approach, recognising that progress requires coordinated action across sectors, from education and finance to infrastructure and governance - supported by sustained investment, strong accountability, and inclusive participation.
The report aligns directly with Nigeria's National Development Plan 2026-2030, embedding gender equality in policy and investment priorities.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, underscored the importance of collective action and sustained implementation. She said: "Gender equality is not a concession; it is a sound investment in the strength of our nation. When women and girls enjoy equal access to education, finance, leadership, and security, families are more stable, communities are more resilient, and the economy grows."
Dr Abdul B. Kamara, Acting Vice President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, and Director General for Nigeria for the African Development Bank Group, highlighted the Bank's commitment to advancing gender-inclusive development. He said: "Nigeria is among the first countries where gender has been elevated from a cross-cutting issue to a strategic pillar of development in the Bank's Country Strategy. The African Development Bank's investment in this Roadmap reflects that commitment, gender equality is not a social objective that competes with economic growth; it is a precondition for it."
The report also benefited from nationwide consultations and contributions from national experts, strengthening technical rigour and national ownership.
Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized that "Gender equality is not a standalone agenda. It is the thread that runs across economic transformation, democratic governance, human capital development, climate resilience, and sustainable peace. When gender equality advances, development accelerates."
The report aligns with the African Development Bank's Gender Strategy 2021-2025 (extended to 2026), the Bank's Nigeria Country Strategy Paper 2025-2030, and Nigeria's National Development Plan 2026-2030. It also supports Nigeria's commitments under the Beijing Platform for Action. Its launch during the Beijing+30 year reinforces a renewed focus on implementation and measurable results.
Click here to read the report.
