The Federal Government has unveiled a new national strategy aimed at reducing the impact of insecurity on women and girls across Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to gender inclusion, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

The initiative, known as Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan (NAP III) on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, covers the period from 2024 to 2028. It was officially inaugurated in Abuja and is being led by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Laila Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President, said the action plan reflects Nigeria’s resolve to ensure women are no longer sidelined in matters of peace, security, and governance. She noted that the global resolution adopted 25 years ago recognised the critical role women play in preventing conflict, building peace, and rebuilding communities.

She explained that while Nigeria has made progress through earlier action plans, many women and girls continue to face serious challenges in areas affected by violence and insecurity. According to her, women in these communities often show remarkable strength by mediating conflicts, supporting families, and helping to restore stability, despite the risks they face daily.

The First Lady urged state governments and all relevant stakeholders to take ownership of the new plan and implement it with urgency. She also called on security agencies to adopt more gender-sensitive approaches, while encouraging traditional and religious leaders to protect the rights of women and children. She further appealed to men and boys to support efforts toward building a fairer and more inclusive society.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Ibrahim-Sulaiman, said the launch of NAP III aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusion, stability, and collective progress. She recalled that Nigeria first domesticated the global resolution in 2013 and strengthened it in 2017, adding that the new plan reflects current realities and emerging security challenges.

According to the minister, the action plan places women, children, and vulnerable groups at the centre of national peacebuilding and governance efforts. She stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without addressing the specific experiences and needs of women affected by conflict and violence.

The Federal Government said the new plan represents a renewed national commitment to protecting women, promoting their participation in decision-making, and ensuring that peace and security efforts leave no one behind.