Katsina, Nigeria — 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 following a meeting between Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, representatives of the World Bank, officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Nigeria for Women Project team in Abuja. The additional financing, estimated at between $6 million and $8 million, is expected to be released this year to fast-track the programme’s implementation and expansion to all 34 local government areas of the state.
Governor Radda described women’s economic empowerment as a critical strategy for reducing poverty, improving household incomes, strengthening community resilience, and addressing insecurity, particularly in communities affected by displacement and conflict. He noted that the state government had already committed ₦4 billion in counterpart funding to support the project and expressed the administration’s determination to ensure its successful execution.
According to the governor, the state initially fulfilled its funding obligations to participate in the programme and has continued to push for broader coverage beyond the original benefiting local government areas. The expanded funding package is expected to enable the project to reach hundreds of thousands of women across Katsina, providing access to livelihood support, financial inclusion initiatives, entrepreneurship opportunities, and community-based economic empowerment programmes.
The Nigeria for Women Project is a World Bank-supported initiative designed to enhance women’s economic empowerment through savings groups, skills development, business support, and improved access to economic opportunities. The programme has become a key component of Nigeria’s broader efforts to improve the socio-economic status of women and strengthen community development nationwide.
