Nigeria is set to witness one of its most ambitious women focused mobilisations as the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs unveiled plans for the Women Mega Empowerment and Rally 2026, a nationwide movement themed “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice.”
Speaking at a world press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman, described the initiative as a transformative national movement designed to unify, empower, and amplify the voices of Nigerian women across all socio-economic levels.
According to her,the rally scheduled for May 5, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is not merely a one day event but the beginning of a sustained, grassroots driven campaign aimed at mobilising up to 10 million women nationwide.
“This is not just a programme; it is a paradigm shift. What we are witnessing is an awakening a unified force of women rising, not in fragments, but with one voice and shared purpose,” she said.
The Minister anchored the initiative within the broader “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the administration has placed women, children, and vulnerable populations at the centre of national development.
She commended the President for what she described as unprecedented commitment to human centred governance, highlighting targeted social investment programmes and the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development.
“Women are not just beneficiaries of policy they are drivers of transformation. Empowering women is not optional; it is fundamental to achieving inclusive growth,” she stated.
The Minister also paid tribute to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her sustained advocacy and community outreach across the country. She confirmed that the First Lady will attend the rally as Special Guest of Honour.
“Her work goes beyond ceremony it reflects a deep, personal commitment to inclusion, dignity, and national cohesion,” the Minister said, adding that the First Lady’s directive to “put money in the hands of women” continues to guide the Ministry’s interventions.
The Minister stressed that women constitute more than half of Nigeria’s population and are central to agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community resilience, yet remain disproportionately excluded from finance and land ownership.
“Closing this gap is not charity it is strategy. When women are empowered, the nation multiplies its productivity and prosperity,” she noted.
The Ministry has rolled out the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774, a nationwide framework targeting all 774 local government areas. The programme includes grants, microcredit schemes, skills acquisition, agricultural support, clean energy access, and market linkages.
The Minister explained that while the stadium has a capacity of about 60,000 attendees, participation will reflect nationwide representation, with delegates drawn from every electoral ward.
“This is a movement that begins in Abuja but extends to every corner of Nigeria. It is a bottom up approach women from rural and urban communities alike will benefit through structured empowerment clusters at the ward level,” she said.
She revealed that over 3,000 volunteers have already signed up to support the initiative, with mobilisation ongoing across states and local governments.
The rally is expected to produce three major outcomes:
A unified platform for women’s political engagement and endorsement of President Tinubu ahead of future elections
The presentation of a National Charter of Demands, outlining women’s priorities and expectations as a policy guide
The integration of women’s groups nationwide into structured collectives to drive grassroots empowerment and social capital development.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the initiative as “a novel, one of a kind event,” urging women to take the lead in amplifying the achievements of the current administration.
“We are not telling our story enough. Nigerian women coming together with one voice will send a powerful message,” she said.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Zainab Ibrahim, assured that adequate planning and safety measures have been put in place for the rally, reiterating that the initiative is a long-term movement rather than a one-off gathering.
The Minister called on government agencies, the private sector, development partners, and the media to support and amplify the movement, emphasising that its success depends on collective ownership.
“This is not about numbers it is about impact. It is about transforming systems and building a future where no woman is left behind,” she said.
As Nigeria moves toward its economic ambitions, including the goal of a $1 trillion economy, the “Power of 10 Million” initiative positions women not just as participants, but as central architects of national development.
“The rise of Nigerian women is not a possibility it is inevitable,” the Minister declared.
