The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for strategic collaboration between the Ministry and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) to promote women’s economic empowerment, clean cooking initiatives, and inclusive energy transition in Nigeria.
According to a press release signed by Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Head of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, the Minister made the call while receiving the Managing Director of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada, during a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja.
Commending OGFZA for attracting significant investments and driving industrial development through the special economic zone model, Sulaiman-Ibrahim described Jada as a high achiever. She noted that the model, which has attracted over 50 billion dollars in investments, has proven globally effective in accelerating economic growth, technology transfer, job creation, and human capital development.
She emphasized that empowering women remains central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that placing economic resources in the hands of women would help address social challenges, including insecurity. The Minister explained that the Ministry is currently implementing programmes aimed at advancing clean energy transition in line with federal government initiatives, adding that collaboration with OGFZA would help position Nigerian women competitively on the global stage.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also applauded the authority’s commitment to gender inclusivity, noting the strong representation of women within its leadership and workforce.
Earlier, OGFZA Managing Director Bamanga Jada said the authority had attracted more than 50 billion dollars in investments since its establishment, positioning Nigeria as a competitive destination for global oil and gas investments. He explained that the free zone model had been successfully adopted in countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, describing it as one of the most effective economic growth strategies worldwide.
Jada added that capacity building within the free zones had enabled Nigerians to take over positions previously held by expatriates, thereby strengthening local expertise and retaining economic value within the country. Highlighting the authority’s commitment to inclusivity, he disclosed that women make up about 70 per cent of the workforce at the recently commissioned 150 million-dollar APM Terminal facility. He further revealed that investors operating within the zones are required to implement corporate social responsibility programmes focusing on women and youth development.
The OGFZA boss congratulated the Minister on her appointment, describing her as a technocrat whose leadership continues to inspire confidence and pride.
This engagement underscores the growing synergy between government institutions in advancing women’s empowerment, sustainable energy, and inclusive economic growth.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
