Radda Secures Up to $8m World Bank Funding to Expand Women Empowerment Programme

The Katsina State Government has secured fresh funding support of up to $8 million from the World Bank to accelerate the implementation and expansion of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) across the state.

The development was disclosed during a meeting between Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and a delegation from the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Nigeria for Women Project at the Katsina State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Friday.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the additional funding, estimated at between $6 million and $8 million, will be released this year to fast-track the programme’s implementation and support its expansion to all 34 local government areas of the state.

The initiative is aimed at reducing poverty, improving household incomes, strengthening community resilience and addressing insecurity, particularly in communities affected by displacement and conflict.

Governor Radda said the state government had already committed N4 billion as counterpart funding for the project, underscoring his administration’s determination to promote women’s economic empowerment and inclusive development.

The governor also unveiled plans to broaden the programme’s impact by introducing a state-funded “Nigeria for Men” initiative, designed to foster entrepreneurship, self-reliance and community development among young people.

He stressed the need for speedy implementation of the project to ensure beneficiaries begin enjoying its benefits without delay.

“We invested in this programme because we believe it will uplift families across the state,” Radda said.

Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Ibrahim Suleiman, said challenges that had slowed implementation had been resolved, paving the way for the release of the World Bank funds to support the project’s expansion in Katsina.

She disclosed that efforts were also underway to secure an additional $1.5 billion in financing to scale up the initiative nationwide. According to her, about 4.5 million women have already benefited from the programme out of the targeted 10 million beneficiaries across the country.

The minister assured the state government of continued technical support from the ministry and development partners, expressing confidence that Katsina could emerge as a model for other states implementing the project.

Also speaking, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the Nigeria for Women Project, Micheal Ilesanmi, confirmed that the funding would be released this year to accelerate implementation and expand economic opportunities for women across the state.

He explained that beneficiaries would become eligible to access the Community Investment Fund after demonstrating consistent savings, effective governance practices and strong organisational structures, adding that the first batch of groups is expected to qualify within the next three to four months.