As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Families, the Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to launch three transformative national initiatives aimed at strengthening family bonds, protecting vulnerable children, and combating grassroots poverty across all 774 Local Government Areas.
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This development was announced by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in a statement released on Friday by her Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Jonathan Eze.
The initiatives, she said, are part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are tailored to confront the growing challenges faced by Nigerian families, particularly in urban communities struggling with rising living costs, insecurity, and deteriorating social cohesion.
The 2025 theme of the International Day of Families, “Family-oriented policies for sustainable development: Towards the second world summit for social development,” reinforces the critical need for government-led policies that place families at the center of sustainable development goals.
Highlighting the significance of the federal government’s renewed focus on families, Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that, “We are pleased to announce the following strategic actions under the Renewed Hope Agenda for women, children, and family cohesion. The President will soon launch a targeted national outreach programme that will inform the development of a National Framework for Family Cohesion in Nigeria.”
The framework, she explained, will be developed through close collaboration with state governments, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Non-Governmental Organizations, development partners, and both religious and traditional institutions.
The primary aim is to build urban resilience, foster stronger families, and rebuild community values that have been eroded by modern-day pressures.
In addition to the family cohesion framework, the President will also unveil the National Guidelines for the Provision of Alternative Care for Children. These guidelines are designed to ensure that children who are separated from their biological families still receive love, protection, and dignity while growing up in alternative environments.
The guidelines will align with the existing National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children, further solidifying the government’s stance on child protection and welfare.
Perhaps the most far-reaching of the new initiatives is the National Family Strengthening and Development Programme, a flagship effort that seeks to combat multidimensional poverty, domestic violence, and weakened support systems.
The programme, which is community-based and driven by local needs, will be rolled out across the country with a first-phase target of over five million Nigerians. It will also address sociocultural disruptions and will be funded through strategic partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms.
In her statement, the Minister also announced the formal inauguration of the committee tasked with developing the national family cohesion framework. The work of this committee, she said, will lay the foundation for long-term policies aimed at empowering Nigerian families and ensuring sustainable development.
Furthermore, the Ministry is set to scale up the Nigeria for Women Programme, a powerful initiative aimed at reaching 4.5 million women across the 36 states and the FCT. This programme, by extension, supports families and enhances the socio-economic power of women, who are often the backbone of family welfare and caregiving.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that these efforts reflect a firm resolve by the Tinubu administration to restore dignity to caregiving, empower family units, protect children, and reinforce intergenerational bonds.
“Families are not secondary; they are central,” she stressed. “We remain committed to driving policies and structures that nurture children’s potential, support work-life balance, and shield the vulnerable from systemic neglect.”
She concluded with a rallying call to all sectors of society to join hands with the government in supporting the Nigerian family. “
We call on all government agencies, Civil Society Organizations, religious and traditional leaders, development partners, women and youth groups, the private sector, and the media to unite with us in building a resilient, empowered, and protected Nigerian family.”
The initiatives mark a significant turning point in Nigeria’s social development agenda and signal a future where families are not only supported but empowered to thrive amidst the country’s evolving socio-economic landscape.