In a significant push for systemic change, BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation in Nigeria, has called on state governments to move beyond temporary welfare gestures for women. The group advocates for the establishment of natural support systems that enable women to thrive as equals in society.
A Call for Systemic Investment in Women
Oluseun Onigbinde, the Global Director of BudgIT, issued this urgent appeal in Abuja on 16 December 2025. The call to action coincided with the launch of a major report titled The State of Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE). This comprehensive document assesses the performance of all 36 states in Nigeria in supporting and uplifting women.
Onigbinde emphasised that subnational governments must significantly increase investment in programmes specifically designed for women. He outlined critical areas of focus that should form the backbone of any effective strategy:
- Structured training programmes
- Targeted tax waivers
- Access to credible soft loans and grants
"Women’s empowerment should go beyond ad hoc welfare gestures," Onigbinde stated. "There is need for systems that naturally support women." He argued that such a strategic move would not only reduce inequality but also create a stronger foundation for sustainable national growth.
Data-Driven Assessment of All States
The 2025 BudgIT report provides a detailed ranking and evaluation of each state. The analysis is based on interventions and measurable outcomes across 24 key indicators. These indicators are aligned with the five core pillars of Nigeria's National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, ensuring the assessment is both rigorous and policy-relevant.
The five foundational pillars examined in the report are:
- Women in Agriculture
- Women in Entrepreneurship
- Women in the Traditional Labour Market
- Women in Emerging Industries
- Women’s Education and Skills Acquisition
This structured approach allows for a clear comparison of state-level performance and identifies specific areas where investment and policy reform are most needed.
Unlocking National Potential Through Women
Adding her voice to the launch, Ambassador Olufolake Abdurazaque, the wife of the Kwara State governor, underscored the macroeconomic imperative of empowering women. She asserted that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable growth, resilience, or shared prosperity without unlocking the full economic potential of its women and girls.
Abdurazaque cited compelling evidence from institutions like the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This data consistently shows that increasing women's economic participation leads directly to greater household stability, higher national GDP, improved child well-being, and more resilient community systems.
"This is why the Nigerian Governor spouses forum continues to champion interventions that reduce structural barriers and strengthen women-led enterprises," she explained. The forum, a platform for leadership and advocacy, focuses on expanding access to finance and promoting safe, productive environments for women across all states.
She praised the BudgIT report for its grounding in verifiable data, describing credible information as indispensable for designing equitable and inclusive programmes. "The insights from this report will further inform our engagement with state government, development partners and private sector actors," Abdurazaque noted. The goal is to collectively close persistent gender gaps in labour participation, enterprise growth, digital inclusion, and access to essential public services.
The collective message from Abuja is clear: the era of sporadic support for women must end. For Nigeria to prosper, its states must build enduring, data-driven systems that empower women to become powerful engines of economic and social development.
