What does it take to transform the lives of millions of women, children, and vulnerable communities in a nation as diverse as Nigeria? Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim is showing the answer through action, vision, and fearless leadership. From launching nationwide empowerment programs to signing landmark international agreements, including the recent MoU with Türkiye on women’s empowerment, family cohesion, and child protection, she is reshaping the very fabric of social development. Every initiative she drives reflects a commitment to impact, opportunity, and real change.
Born on April 19, 1980, in Jos, Hajiya Imaan’s path has always been marked by ambition and excellence. Educated at the Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari, and later at Webster University London, she holds dual Master’s degrees in Management and Business Administration and is pursuing a Doctorate in Security and Strategic Studies at the Nigeria Defence Academy. Her academic brilliance, paired with early professional success in business, HR, and geospatial systems, laid a unique foundation for a life in transformative leadership.
Before stepping fully into public service, Imaan demonstrated a rare blend of technical skill and strategic thinking. Her career spanned senior roles in sales, human resources, and consultancy, giving her the tools to tackle complex challenges. This experience proves invaluable when she transitioned to government roles, including Director-General of NAPTIP, strengthening Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking, Federal Commissioner at NCFRMI, overseeing refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons, and Minister of State for Police Affairs, making history as the first woman to hold the post. In October 2024, she assumed the role of Minister of Women Affairs, bringing her signature blend of vision, determination, and hands-on leadership to the nation’s most vulnerable groups.
Hajiya Imaan’s tenure is defined by action and results. She has launched initiatives that touch lives directly, including the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, empowering millions of women with business skills and financial literacy. She has also overseen the review and strengthening of child protection laws across Nigeria, led national campaigns against gender-based violence in collaboration with security, justice, and community institutions, and organized outreach programs providing medical support, skills training, and economic empowerment to women and youths in underserved regions.
In a historic move reflecting her international vision, Hajiya Imaan recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Türkiye. The agreement, signed in Ankara, focuses on strengthening social welfare, family cohesion, women’s empowerment, and child protection, and aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Through this partnership, both countries committed to empowering women through entrepreneurship support, enhancing family cohesion with Nigeria’s first National Action Plan on Families, protecting children via early interventions, and supporting vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities and older adults. The MoU underscores Hajiya Imaan’s commitment to global collaboration for local impact.
What distinguishes Hajiya Imaan is not just her resume, but her courage to challenge norms and break barriers. She is a trailblazer who combines intellect with empathy, strategic vision with grassroots action. Under her stewardship, the Ministry of Women Affairs is no longer just a government office, it is a platform for transformation, opportunity, and empowerment. Her leadership is measured not in speeches, but in tangible programs that improve lives and create lasting social impact.
As Nigeria looks to the future, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim stands out as a leader who proves that bold leadership, relentless advocacy, and strategic action can truly redefine the nation’s approach to women’s and children’s affairs. Her revolution is not just in policy, it is in changing lives, breaking ceilings, and inspiring generations.
