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 the country’s commitment to inclusion, gender equality and sustainable peace.
The NAP III (2024–2028) was inaugurated in Abuja by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at an event spearheaded by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. The First Lady was represented by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Laila Barau.
Addressing stakeholders, Barau said the adoption of UNSCR 1325, 25 years ago, marked a turning point in global peace and security efforts by recognising women as critical actors rather than passive victims of conflict.
“Twenty-five years ago, through UNSCR 1325, the global community acknowledged that women should not remain on the sidelines, but must be active participants in shaping peace and security,” she said. “Nigeria embraced this vision through the launch of our first and second National Action Plans.”
She noted that the resilience and sacrifices of Nigerian women underscored the need to keep the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the forefront of national priorities. She urged all stakeholders to demonstrate urgency and commitment in implementing the new action plan.
“I encourage state governments to champion the implementation of this plan with dedication. I also urge our security agencies to intensify gender-sensitive reforms,” she said, while calling on traditional and faith leaders to use their influence to protect women and children. She further appealed to men and boys to become partners in building a just and equitable society.
In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Ibrahim-Sulaiman, traced Nigeria’s journey since the global adoption of UNSCR 1325 in 2000, noting that the country domesticated the resolution with its first National Action Plan in 2013 and consolidated gains with NAP II in 2017.
“Today’s launch of NAP III, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligns our national efforts with contemporary global realities and firmly anchors them within the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said. “This places women, children, families and vulnerable groups at the centre of national stability, inclusive governance and sustainable peace.”
The minister commended the First Lady for providing leadership that signified national ownership and collective commitment to the NAP III framework. She also acknowledged the progress made so far, while stressing that women and girls in conflict-affected communities still face significant challenges.
“In these difficult times, Nigerian women continue to demonstrate extraordinary strength, mediating conflicts, rebuilding communities and caring for their families,” Ibrahim-Sulaiman added.
She explained that NAP III adopted a more inclusive and participatory process, engaging stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones.
“This time, legislators were actively involved, unlike the first and second plans,” she said. “What is unique about NAP III is its endorsement by the President, the National Assembly, heads of security institutions, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police.”
According to her, the broad-based endorsement signals stronger ownership and commitment, raising expectations that the objectives of the plan will be fully achieved and sustained nationwide.
Meanwhile, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs Beatrice Eyong, represented by UN women Country Representative Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, described the launch as timely, noting that 2025 marks 25 years of UNSCR 1325 and 30 years of the Beijing Platform for Action. She stressed that the success of NAP III would depend on adequate funding, strong political will and effective implementation across all states.
Explaining the framework of the plan, UN Women Programme Manager on Women, Peace and Security, Mr Peter Mancha, said 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.
He explained that the third action plan was developed to address challenges encountered in the first two NAPs, including limited awareness, weak political will, inadequate funding and poor coordination. According to him, the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs adopted a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all six geopolitical zones, legislators and key institutions.
Mancha said NAP III is uniquely endorsed by the President, the National Assembly and the leadership of security institutions, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, signalling stronger ownership and commitment to ensuring its objectives are fully implemented and sustained by both the government and the people of Ngeria..
