Women leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers have launched a national platform aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation, expanding access to opportunities and supporting the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Launch of BWIRHA in Abuja
The initiative, known as the Business Women of Influence for Renewed Hope Agenda (BWIRHA), was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday amid calls for greater investment in women-owned businesses, increased female representation in leadership and stronger collaboration to drive national development.
Speaking at the launch, National Convener and Director-General of the organisation, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, described the platform as a vehicle for mobilising women as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s economic transformation. According to her, BWIRHA seeks to address barriers confronting women entrepreneurs through mentorship, capacity building, advocacy, strategic partnerships and leadership development programmes.
“Today is not just the launch of an organisation. Today is the launch of a movement. Today stands as a defining moment in the history of women’s participation in nation-building,” she said.
Women’s Role in Economic Growth
Oyewole noted that women remain central to economic growth and community development, stressing that efforts to build a more prosperous and inclusive society must deliberately create opportunities for women at all levels. She explained that the organisation would support women-owned enterprises, encourage innovation and skills acquisition, promote women’s participation in governance and advocate policies that improve the welfare of women, children and vulnerable groups.
“We will support women-owned enterprises. We will encourage innovation and skills acquisition. We will promote greater participation of women in leadership and governance. We will advocate for policies that improve the welfare of women, children, families and vulnerable communities,” she stated.
Bridging Urban-Rural Gap
The BWIRHA Director-General also pledged to bridge the gap between women in urban centres and their counterparts in rural communities by expanding access to training, finance and economic inclusion initiatives. She used the occasion to express support for the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, describing them as difficult but necessary measures aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy for sustainable growth.
“Mr President has never promised that the road would be easy. What he promised was leadership. What he promised was courage. What he promised was Renewed Hope,” Oyewole said.
She also commended First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for championing programmes targeted at women, young people and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Child Protection and Safer Communities
Beyond economic issues, the organisation pledged support for initiatives promoting child protection, safer communities and stronger institutions, while expressing solidarity with families of missing children across the country.
“We have not forgotten the families whose hearts still ache. As a movement, we pledge to support initiatives that promote child protection, safer communities, stronger institutions and greater awareness so that every Nigerian child can grow up in safety, dignity and opportunity,” she added.
Call for Greater Female Representation
Also speaking, President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Princess Edna Azura, described the emergence of BWIRHA as a positive development for women and the country. She emphasised the need for women to work together in advancing common interests and renewed calls for greater female participation in governance and decision-making.
Azura expressed concern over the low representation of women in elective positions, noting that only a few women currently occupy seats in the National Assembly despite women’s significant contribution to national development. She urged women across the country to continue supporting one another, uphold family values and contribute to efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and national progress.
The launch attracted political leaders, business executives, development partners, traditional rulers and women representatives from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring growing efforts to position women as key drivers of economic growth and national transformation.
“Let history record that when Nigeria called, women answered. Let history record that when hope was needed, women rose. Let history record that when national transformation required partners, women stepped forward,” Oyewole said.
