By Uzoamaka Mfoniso
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has alleged a coordinated attempt to discredit the Ministry of Women Affairs and undermine female leadership in Nigeria.
Addressing at a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister said the recent protests and criticisms directed at her were not merely personal but reflected broader resistance to women occupying leadership positions.
She reaffirmed her commitment to reform, unity, and inclusive leadership within the Ministry, dismissing what she described as distractions from the vital mission of empowering women, children, and vulnerable groups across the country.
“There is an attack on the Ministry of Women Affairs and on female politicians, and they are trying to use staff against the ministry…We are fighting for positions for women, and they are fighting me as a woman. But we will not give up — and we must stand firm together.” She declared.
She stressed that her role as Minister is political advocacy and policy direction, while administrative responsibilities rest with the Permanent Secretary and departmental heads. She urged staff to embrace mutual respect, trust, teamwork, and discipline in order to advance the ministry’s mandate.
“All you are complaining about, I know about it and I consent to the ones I can. But you want me to be the Permanent Secretary, HR, and Director of Finance. Everyone has their role. Unity is the only way forward. I believe we can solve our challenges through dialogue and mutual respect,” she explained.
During an interactive session, staff representatives raised issues of welfare, training, inclusion, and communication. Union Chairperson, Mrs. Anne Orjiobele, called for stronger staff engagement, while Child Protection Officer, Abdusalam Abdulaziz, appealed for housing support to ease commuting burdens.
Others highlighted the need for better working tools, retirement benefits, and greater inclusive visibility for the ministry’s programmes. Widows and persons with disabilities also requested to be fully carried along in the ministry’s inclusion drive.
Responding, the Minister assured staff that their concerns would be addressed within available resources but cautioned that internal conflict only distracts from the larger mission of serving women, children, and vulnerable groups.
“We should all be human beings first before anything else. Unity is the only way forward. I believe we can solve our challenges through dialogue and mutual respect,” she emphasized.
Reassuring all of her continued commitment to staff welfare and the Renewed Hope Agenda, she reiterated that reforms are already underway and pledged that distractions will not derail progress.
The meeting ended on a conciliatory note, with both management and staff reaffirming their commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and working in harmony with the Minister’s vision for a stronger, more impactful Ministry.
