Abuja: The Federal Government has inaugurated Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan (NAP III) on the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion, gender equality, and sustainable peace.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NAP III UNSCR 1325, covering the period from 2024 to 2028, was inaugurated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, in Abuja. The initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. The First Lady, represented by the Wife of Deputy Senate President, Laila Barau, highlighted that 25 years ago, the global community recognized the importance of women as active participants in shaping peace and security through UNSCR 1325.
“Nigeria embraced this vision with the launch of our first and second national action plans. Today, guided by the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusion, stability, and collective progress, we step forward with our third national action plan,” she stated. She emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by women and girls in communities affected by insecurity, while also acknowledging the progress made.
The First Lady urged all stakeholders, particularly state governments, to champion the implementation of the action plan with urgency and dedication. She also called on security agencies to intensify gender-sensitive reforms and appealed to traditional and faith leaders to protect women and children. Additionally, she encouraged men and boys to work towards a just and equitable society.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Ibrahim-Sulaiman, noted that following the global adoption of UNSCR 1325 in 2000, Nigeria domesticated this commitment through the first NAP in 2013 and consolidated early gains with the second NAP in 2017. She explained that the launch of NAP III, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aligns national efforts with contemporary global realities and firmly anchors them with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ibrahim-Sulaiman acknowledged the leadership of the First Lady and commended the President for positioning social inclusion, human security, and gender-responsive governance as national priorities. She announced the inauguration of a National Technical Working Committee on Women, Peace and Security, chaired by the ministry, to oversee the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and accountability of NAP III nationwide. The plan will be localized across all 36 states and the FCT through the Social Impact Intervention 774 initiative to ensure grassroots ownership.
Mr. Peter Mancha, Programme Manager, WPS, UN Women, explained that NAP III consists of 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. He acknowledged challenges in the first and second plans, including limited awareness, weak political will, and limited budgetary provisions. To address these, the Government of Nigeria adopted a multi-sectoral approach to develop a comprehensive national action plan.
Mancha highlighted that NAP III aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and was developed through a participatory approach involving all six geopolitical zones. It has received endorsement from the President, National Assembly, heads of security institutions, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector-General of Police, among others.