By Barth Ikiebe
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has congratulated recipients of the WINSEC Awards 2026 for their outstanding service and contributions to national development.
The Minister gave the commendation while delivering her keynote address at the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026, where she was also invested as the National Patroness of the association in Abuja.
She urged all to collectively build Nigeria by prioritising justice, inclusion, equality, hope for every woman, every family, and every community.
Hajia Suleiman-Ibrahim restated the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership in peace, security and governance, declaring that sustainable national security depends on the full inclusion of women in decision-making and nation-building.
Describing the summit as both timely and strategic, Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended NAWOJ for creating a platform that recognises women’s critical role in shaping Nigeria’s security architecture.
“National security is strengthened when women are empowered to lead, inform, and shape public discourse and decision-making,” she noted.
The Minister observed that women and girls remain the most affected by conflicts globally, noting that according to the United Nations, they constitute nearly 90 per cent of displaced populations, while one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.
Hajia Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is implementing transformative policies and programmes to strengthen women’s leadership, expand protection for survivors of gender-based violence and promote women’s participation in governance.
Highlighting the strategic role of the media, Hajia Sulaiman-Ibrahim described women journalists as indispensable partners in promoting peace, accountability and national cohesion.
“Women journalists do far more than report events; they shape narratives, challenge harmful stereotypes, expose injustice, counter misinformation, amplify the voices of the vulnerable, and strengthen public accountability,” she said.
Accepting her investiture as NAWOJ National Patron, Sulaiman-Ibrahim pledged deeper collaboration with the association to advance gender-responsive journalism, broaden women’s participation in security discourse and strengthen media advocacy for peace, inclusion and sustainable development.
Earlier in a welcome address, Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim,
National Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), said the event
marked the birth of a national platform dedicated to celebrating excellence, promoting dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and advancing the role of women in peace, security, and national development.
“Your presence here is a testament to our shared belief that sustainable peace and security can only be achieved when women are recognised, empowered, and given a seat at the decision-making table”, she stated.
She said that for nearly four decades, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) had remained steadfast in promoting professionalism, defending democracy, amplifying the voices of women and vulnerable groups, and using journalism as a tool for national development.
“As an Association, we are proud of our rich history and deeply grateful to the visionary women whose sacrifices, courage, and leadership laid the foundation upon which we continue to build today. It is upon the enduring legacies of these remarkable women that we stand today. Each of our past leaders left an indelible mark and a unique legacy that continues to shape the identity and direction of NAWOJ”.
“By the grace of God, our next aspiration is to construct a befitting National Secretariat that will stand as a lasting symbol of the resilience, vision, and collective achievements of women journalists in Nigeria.
We therefore invite governments, development partners, corporate organisations, and friends of the media to join us in bringing this vision to reality”.
According to her, “The idea behind WINSEC is simple but profound: security is stronger when women are fully involved.
“Across Nigeria, women continue to serve with distinction as military officers, police officers, intelligence personnel, correctional officers, journalists, humanitarian workers, community leaders, and peace advocates. Yet, many of these remarkable contributions often go unnoticed.
WINSEC was established to change that narrative”.
According to her, “This initiative also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those promoting Gender Equality, Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions, and Partnerships, as well as the principles of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Hajia Aisha Ibrahim thanked and expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), whose unwavering support and encouragement have continued to inspire the growth and success of NAWOJ.
“I also sincerely thank our partners, sponsors, development organisations, members of the planning committees, volunteers, and everyone who has contributed to making this historic event a reality. Your commitment has demonstrated that great achievements are only possible through collective effort”, she remarked.
