Honorable Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, is a leader like no other — a dynamic force whose work and vision have touched countless lives. A passionate advocate for women, children, and vulnerable communities, she has dedicated over two decades of her life to advancing social development, migration governance, conflict resolution, and humanitarian response. Her work is driven by an unwavering commitment to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive world for all.
From leading critical government institutions to driving billion-dollar investment initiatives, Hon. Imaan combines compassion with strategic insight and bold leadership in a way that few can match. Her track record includes reforming NAPTIP in record time, facilitating the passage of long-overdue national laws, and spearheading efforts to provide education for Nigeria’s out-of-school children. As Nigeria’s current Minister of Women Affairs, she is focused on empowering 10 million women, transforming conversations around gender equality, and ensuring that every woman and child in the country has a fair shot at opportunity and dignity.
In this candid conversation with Funke Babs-Kufeji, she shares her inspiring journey, the driving forces behind her work, and what fuels her mission to serve. With a global perspective yet deeply grounded in her community, Hon. Imaan’s leadership is creating a future we can all look forward to.
Can you take us back to the early days of your career? What inspired your journey into social development and humanitarian service?
My journey into social development and humanitarian service isn’t about politics but purpose. My story is not a conventional one. I didn’t grow up aspiring to be a politician. My dream was to become an entrepreneur par excellence, to create value and build systems that uplift my family and community. Watching my father help develop Nigeria’s new capital city, Abuja, was all the motivation needed.
Sometimes, life redirects your path in the most unexpected ways. While living in the UK, one of the most pivotal moments of my life came when my son fell critically ill and required brain surgery. We spent several months at the government-funded Great Ormond Street Hospital. The care we received was phenomenal. The professionalism, the dignity and the sheer humanity of the experience stirred something deep in me.
In those difficult months, I made a covenant with GOD. I said, ‘If YOU heal my son and restore him completely, I will return to Nigeria and dedicate my life to serving the nation. My mission became contributing towards building a nation where every child, regardless of background, can receive quality care, dignity and opportunity. Many had given up hope on my son’s full recovery but by the grace of God, he healed. And I kept my promise.
I packed my bags, moved back to Nigeria and began to navigate my way into social impact and, eventually, public service. I didn’t enter this space with political ambition. I came with a burden, a vow and a heart to serve. From my work as a Senior Sales Director in Mary Kay UK & Ireland until today, my compass has always been centred on people, building systems of hope, protection and empowerment.
So, what inspired my journey? A promise. A healing. A deep conviction that every life matters and that we must be bold enough to help build the kind of society where dignity is not a privilege, but a right.”
As DG of NAPTIP, you spearheaded reforms that significantly improved Nigeria’s international ranking. Nigeria was upgraded from the Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 2 in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report—a significant milestone. What were the key internal reforms or stakeholder strategies that contributed to this success in just six months?
Our approach at NAPTIP was immediate and multi-pronged. Internally, I led a full organisational diagnostic to address institutional weaknesses. We restructured our operations, streamlined case management systems, and introduced accountability mechanisms. More importantly, we prioritised inter-agency coordination, bringing key stakeholders from law enforcement, immigration, and civil society into a joint action framework. We also launched a national awareness campaign and set up a functional helpline to deepen public understanding of trafficking and encourage victim reporting. These reforms sent a strong signal, that Nigeria was not just committed to meeting global standards but that we were determined to lead the fight.
Human trafficking is a deeply complex and transnational issue. How did you strengthen cross-border collaboration and intelligence sharing with international partners during your time at NAPTIP, and what lasting impact has that had on Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts?
We understood early that trafficking networks operate without borders, so our response had to be equally transnational. We revitalised Nigeria’s bilateral frameworks with transit and destination countries, including Italy, Niger, Lybia and the United Kingdom. Through diplomatic engagement, we activated cross-border referral protocols and participated in joint investigations with other security institutions locally and internationally. We also worked closely with service officers in key missions abroad. These measures have not only improved case resolution rates but also enhanced Nigeria’s standing as a reliable partner in global anti-trafficking efforts.
Can you talk about the process and impact of getting the NCFRMI Act 2022 passed after 14 years of stagnation?
The passage of the NCFRMI Act was the result of unwavering persistence, policy clarity, and stakeholder consensus. For over a decade, attempts had failed due to fragmentation, weak legislative backing, and shifting political priorities. When I assumed office, we prioritised the bill as an institutional survival issue. I engaged the National Assembly directly, convened technical drafting teams, and mobilised support from humanitarian agencies, development partners, and displaced communities. The Act has now given legal identity to millions of persons of concern and established a robust framework for durable solutions.
Looking back, what was the most challenging case or moment you encountered at NAPTIP that reshaped your perspective on the realities of trafficking, and how did it influence your approach to victim-centred policy and advocacy?
One particularly harrowing case involved a trafficked teenage girl rescued from a syndicate. Her physical scars were painful, but her emotional trauma was deeper. What struck me most was how poorly the system had supported her reintegration. It was a wake-up call that rescue is only the beginning, but restoration must follow. From that moment, I prioritised trauma-informed care, survivor shelters, and vocational reintegration programmes. It reshaped our entire philosophy at NAPTIP: justice must be victim-centered, not process-centered.
As Nigeria’s first female Minister of Police Affairs, what specific innovations did you introduce to promote community policing and inclusivity?
We introduced a reform roadmap anchored on inclusivity, intelligence-led policing, and community ownership. Key innovations included a policy shift to strengthen community policing structures and strengthening gender desks in police formations. We also advocated for women’s leadership in the Force Leadership, and the first Female Force Secretary was appointed based on that advocacy. These innovations bridged trust deficits and made the police more responsive to the people they serve.
Within just four months at the Ministry of Police Affairs, you secured a 1,000% increase in funding for key initiatives. Amongst others, what do you believe was the turning point that earned stakeholder buy-in for your vision?
The turning point was presenting a data-backed, results-driven reform plan that aligned national security goals with social stability. I demonstrated how strategic investment in policing could yield public trust and security dividends. I also rallied key stakeholders through high-level engagements and transparent planning. When stakeholders saw the clarity, ambition, and national value proposition, they responded with unprecedented support.
Now, as Minister of Women’s Affairs, you’ve outlined a bold vision to economically empower 10 million women in three years. What specific policy tools and partnerships are you leveraging to make this goal achievable, and what strategies are in place to ensure long-term impact beyond the initial reach?
To deliver on our bold vision of economically empowering 10 million women in three years, we are leveraging strategic programmes like the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which is currently underway, and targeting a minimum of 4.7 million women through access to finance, skills, and markets, and the MOWA-SARA Project, which is reaching 500,000 vulnerable women with similar targeted support including vocational training and digital inclusion. Our long-term strategy focuses on institutionalising these programmes and using real-time data systems to ensure sustained impact.
Empowering women economically requires more than just funding—how are you addressing systemic barriers such as land ownership, access to credit, and market linkages?
We are advocating for women’s access to land through State Governors and State Commissioners of Women’s Affairs, especially within agribusiness. For access to credit, we are partnering with development finance institutions, commercial banks and fintech firms to deliver low-interest, collateral-light credit products tailored for women. Through the Happy Women Platform, we are creating marketplace linkages, helping women sell their goods and services directly to buyers, both locally and internationally.
Are there specific sectors or industries you’re targeting to boost women’s participation and leadership?
Yes. We are targeting sectors where women are historically underrepresented but have high growth potential. These include the blue economy, renewable energy, digital and creative industries, green entrepreneurship, and extractives. We are also investing in female-led agribusinesses and micro-manufacturing clusters. Our goal is both inclusion and placing women at the helm of these emerging industries.
How does your Ministry ensure inclusivity in program design, especially for women in rural, conflict-affected, or underserved communities?
Inclusivity begins with participatory design. We conduct needs assessments through local women’s groups, traditional leaders, and community-based organisations. Programmes are then tailored with context-specific delivery models.
Can you share some early success stories or impact assessments from the first wave of programs that have already reached over 5 million women?
The first wave of our flagship programmes – the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project and the MOWA-SARA Project – have already commenced and are collectively targeting over 5 million women nationwide. Early reports from implementation states show remarkable progress: thousands of women in Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) under the Nigeria for Women Project have accessed savings, start-up capital, and business development training, leading to increased household incomes and stronger community networks. Similarly, under the MOWA-SARA Project, women receive targeted support packages, including vocational kits and digital tools. These early outcomes affirm that with the right structures and partnerships, large-scale women’s empowerment is achievable and is already underway.
With gender-based violence still a pressing issue in Nigeria, what targeted interventions is your Ministry implementing to support survivors and prevent recurrence?
We are expanding Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the six geopolitical zones to provide survivors with integrated services, including medical, legal, psychosocial, and shelter support. We are working on a national Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for GBV response and working towards strengthening the implementation of the VAPP Act in all states – this has commenced with a review of the Act. Additionally, we are deploying community watch structures and male ally networks to shift social norms and prevent recurrence.
How is your Ministry measuring success across various women-focused programs – are there dashboards, real-time data systems, or evaluation mechanisms in place?
We have tracking and evaluation mechanisms that are project/programme-focused. The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Dashboard, for instance, enables us to monitor reported cases and response efforts in real-time. To further strengthen our evidence-based approach, we are currently developing a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Dashboard for the Ministry, which will consolidate data from all programmes and enhance decision-making and strategic planning. Through the forthcoming Happy Woman App, we will also track programme reach, service uptake, and impact across various empowerment interventions. Additionally, the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) serves as a vital platform through which we receive annual feedback and performance updates from states.
How are you working with security agencies, legal institutions, and communities to enhance protection for women and girls?
We are working through targeted advocacy and technical support to the police, judiciary, social welfare, and civil society. We are supporting the ecosystem with capacity for implementing survivor-centered protocols, fast-tracking prosecutions, and ensuring safety for at-risk women. We’re also training security personnel on gender sensitivity and trauma-informed approaches and working with traditional and religious institutions to foster protective community environments.
Nigeria recently recommitted to the Beijing Platform for Action and the UN Women Agenda. What concrete steps are being taken to deliver on those pledges?
We are aligning our national strategy with the 12 critical areas of the Beijing Platform, including education, health, political participation, and economic empowerment. Our National Gender Equality Policy is being updated, and we are engaging key institutions to ensure we mainstream gender targets into the National Development Plan and annual budgets at both the national and sub-nationals level. At the international level, we are deepening engagements with UN Women and AU platforms to ensure accountability and peer learning.
What partnerships with international development agencies, private sector actors, and civil society are most impactful in accelerating gender parity?
We are fortunate to have a wide network of domestic and international partners who are playing critical roles in advancing our gender equality agenda. These partnerships span development agencies, private sector institutions, foundations, and civil society organisations, all contributing expertise, resources, and innovative solutions across our priority areas. From economic empowerment and education to health, protection, and leadership, these collaborations enhance our reach and deepen impact. While I may not single out specific institutions, I must emphasise that the collective strength of these partnerships—anchored in shared vision and mutual accountability—is accelerating progress towards gender parity in Nigeria.
As someone with such a broad background from humanitarian work to national security, what fresh perspective are you bringing to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs?
I bring a systems-thinking mindset, which is the ability to connect macro policies with micro realities. My background in national security teaches me that gender issues are security issues. My experience in migration shows that development must be inclusive to be sustainable. I approach gender equality not as a niche concern but as a strategic imperative for national stability, resilience, and prosperity. This helix informs how we design how programmes and interventions.
You lecture internationally in Rome and Nigeria. What have these academic engagements taught you about bridging global knowledge with local realities?
They’ve taught me the power of contextual intelligence. Global knowledge offers frameworks, but true impact happens when those frameworks are adapted to local realities. I bring lived experience to the classroom, and in return, I gain fresh insights from scholars and students worldwide. It’s a two-way exchange that enriches both my policy work and my pedagogy.
You wear many hats—entrepreneur, policymaker, reformer, academic. What continues to drive your passion across these intersecting fields, and what keeps you going on tough days?
What keeps me going is the unshakable belief that change is possible even in the face of complexity. I draw strength from the stories of women who have overcome adversity, from the faces of children whose futures depend on our work, and from the silent prayers of communities who believe in our promise. On tough days, I remember that service is a sacred responsibility and that to whom much is given, much is expected.
