The Federal Government has inaugurated Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan (NAP III) for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, reaffirming the country’s commitment to inclusion, gender equality and sustainable peace.
The NAP III (2024–2028) was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu. The initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Represented by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Laila Barau, the First Lady said that 25 years ago, the global community, through UNSCR 1325, recognized that women should not be sidelined but actively involved in shaping peace and security.
“Nigeria embraced this vision with the launch of our first and second National Action Plans. Today, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusion, stability and collective progress, we step forward with our third National Action Plan,” she said.
While acknowledging progress made so far, the First Lady noted that women and girls in conflict-affected communities continue to face significant challenges.
“In these difficult times, Nigerian women continue to demonstrate extraordinary strength by mediating conflicts, rebuilding communities and caring for their families,” she said, adding that their resilience underscored the need to keep the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the forefront of national priorities.
She urged all stakeholders, particularly state governments, to champion the implementation of the plan with urgency and dedication. She also called on security agencies to intensify gender-sensitive reforms, appealed to traditional and faith leaders to use their influence to protect women and children, and encouraged men and boys to partner in ensuring full implementation for a just and equitable society.
In her address, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ibrahim-Sulaiman, said that following the adoption of UNSCR 1325 in 2000, Nigeria domesticated the resolution with the first National Action Plan in 2013 and consolidated early gains with the second plan in 2017.
She said the launch of NAP III, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aligns national efforts with contemporary global realities and anchors them firmly within the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This places women, children, families and other vulnerable groups at the centre of national stability, inclusive governance and sustainable peace,” she said.
Ibrahim-Sulaiman commended the First Lady for her leadership, which she said underscored national ownership and collective commitment to the NAP III framework. She also praised the President for repositioning social inclusion, human security and gender-responsive governance as national priorities.
The minister announced the inauguration of a National Technical Working Committee on Women, Peace and Security, chaired by the ministry, to drive implementation, coordination, monitoring and accountability of NAP III nationwide.
She added that the plan would be localized across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory through the Social Impact Intervention 774 initiative to ensure grassroots ownership.
She acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders, including the National Assembly, UN Women, the Governments of Norway and Germany, and the Tetra Tech SPRiNG Programme, whose technical support was instrumental to the development of the plan.
Also speaking, Mr. Peter Mancha, Programme Manager, Women, Peace and Security at UN Women, explained that NAP III is built on five pillars: prevention and disaster preparedness; participation and representation; protection and prosecution; crisis management, early recovery and post-conflict reconstruction; and partnership coordination and management.
Mancha said the third NAP was developed to address challenges identified in the first and second plans, including limited awareness, weak political will, inadequate budgetary provisions and poor coordination.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, adopted a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all six geopolitical zones, legislators and other stakeholders.
He added that a key strength of NAP III is its endorsement by the President, the National Assembly, heads of security institutions, the Chief of Defense Staff and the Inspector-General of Police.
“This demonstrates stronger ownership and commitment to ensure effective implementation of the plan and the achievement of its objectives,” Mancha said.
