WorldStage– The African Development Bank (AfDB), Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and UN Women Nigeria have inaugurated the Nigeria Gender Profile and Roadmap to Equality 2030.
The framework outlines evidence-based actions to address gender disparities across the economy, education, health, governance, leadership and protection from gender-based violence.
This is contained in a statement issued on the bank’s website on Wednesday.
The statement quoted the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, as describing gender equality as a strategic investment essential for Nigeria’s sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
She said equal access to education, finance, leadership and security would strengthen families, build resilient communities and boost national economic prosperity.
“Gender equality is not a concession; it is a sound investment in the strength of our nation,” the minister said.
Dr Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Acting Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to gender-responsive development planning in Nigeria.
Kamara said Nigeria was among the first countries where gender became a strategic pillar under the bank’s Country Strategy, rather than merely a cross-cutting development issue.
He also said that gender equality was not competing with economic growth but remained a prerequisite for achieving inclusive and sustainable national development.
According to him, the roadmap provides practical interventions and measurable actions to close gender gaps and accelerate progress by 2030.
UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said gender equality remained central to economic transformation, democratic governance and sustainable peace.
She said advancing gender equality would accelerate development, strengthen climate resilience, improve human capital and support inclusive governance across Nigeria.
The Gender Profile is part of AfDB’s Country Gender Profiles programme implemented across Africa to strengthen gender-responsive policy making.
The report assesses gender disparities in Nigeria and outlines priority actions across eight strategic areas to promote equality and women’s empowerment by 2030.
Unlike previous assessments, the framework combines evidence-based analysis with practical implementation pathways for government, development partners, businesses and civil society organisations.
It adopts a whole-of-economy approach, promoting coordinated action, sustained investment, accountability and inclusive participation to advance gender equality nationwide.
The framework aligns with Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2026-2030 and supports integration of gender equality into national policies and investment priorities.
It was developed through nationwide consultations involving government institutions, development partners and national experts to strengthen technical quality and national ownership.
The roadmap also aligns with AfDB’s Gender Strategy, Nigeria’s Country Strategy Paper and the Beijing Platform for Action.
Its inauguration during the Beijing+30 commemorative year underscores renewed commitment to translating gender equality pledges into measurable outcomes by 2030.
