The Kano State Government has rolled out a new Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy designed to deepen inclusive governance and widen economic opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups across the state.
Details of the initiative were disclosed in a statement released on Monday in Kano by the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Bintu Nuhu-Yakasai.
At the official unveiling, Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf described the policy as a landmark step toward building a society where prosperity and opportunities are accessible to all citizens.
Represented by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdussalam, the governor explained that the policy aligns with his administration’s development agenda, “Our Commitment,” which focuses on governance driven by dignity, fairness and equal opportunity.
Kabir-Yusuf revealed that the state government is already supporting 5,200 women across the 484 wards in the state’s 44 local government areas with a monthly grant of N50,000 to strengthen small-scale businesses, boost family incomes and encourage financial independence.
He further noted that the government had taken concrete steps to promote inclusivity by creating a specialised department dedicated to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Plans are also underway to establish a commission that will protect and advance the rights of persons living with disabilities in Kano.
The governor added that funding for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs had been increased to enhance programmes aimed at supporting women, children and other disadvantaged groups.
According to him, the Gyadi-Gyadi Women Skill Acquisition Centre is currently undergoing renovation to reposition it as a major hub for entrepreneurship training and skills development for women and adolescent girls.
Kabir-Yusuf also disclosed that a comprehensive needs assessment had been carried out across all 44 local government areas to revitalise Women Development Centres and transform them into grassroots drivers of economic growth through vocational training and enterprise initiatives.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi-Sani, described the policy as a historic development for women and vulnerable populations in the state.
She praised the governor for his dedication to people-focused governance and called on development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to align their interventions with the WEE Policy to ensure maximum impact.
Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, represented by Musa Aliyu Musa, stressed the significance of effectively implementing the initiative to advance women’s economic independence.
“Empowering women strengthens families and promotes stable communities,” she said.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, assured that traditional institutions would support efforts to promote awareness and ensure the successful implementation of the policy within communities.
Several development partners attended the event, including the Development Research and Projects Center and organisations under the WEE Catalyst Fund Kano Cohort such as Fable Advisory and the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative.
The WEE Policy is expected to expand women’s participation in economic activities, enhance livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth across Kano State.
