31/07/2026
Sokoto Records First Women Affinity Groups as Nigeria for Women Programme Gains Momentum
The implementation of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) in Sokoto State reached a major milestone on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, with the successful formation and registration of the state’s first Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), marking the beginning of community-level activities aimed at transforming the economic lives of women across the state.
The pioneer affinity groups were established in Sokoto South Local Government Area, covering Tudun Wada ‘A’, Tudun Wada ‘B’, and Gagi ‘A’ wards. They include Cigaban Mata Sawaba in Minannata Community, Tudun Wada ‘B’ Ward; Jajirtattun Mata in Lokoja Road Community, Tudun Wada ‘B’ Ward; Mutemaki Juna in Tudun Wada ‘A’ Ward; and a fourth group formed in the Nakasari community, behind the School of Nursing, under Gagi ‘A’ Ward.
The groups were constituted under the supervision of the Local Government Field Supervisor, Mr. Kabiru Danyaya, working closely with the respective Ward Supervisors responsible for implementation in the beneficiary communities.
Women Affinity Groups are the cornerstone of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project. They bring together women with common socio-economic interests to promote savings, financial inclusion, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, access to livelihood opportunities, and mutual support. Through these groups, women are empowered to improve their household incomes, strengthen their resilience, and contribute more effectively to the socio-economic development of their communities.
Reacting to the development, the State Project Coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project in Sokoto State, Abdurrahman Abubakar, described the achievement as a significant turning point in the implementation of the project.
He said the successful formation of the first four affinity groups demonstrates that the project has moved beyond planning into practical community engagement and empowerment.
According to him, the milestone is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of the Ward Facilitators, the Local Government Project Implementation Unit, and the State Project Coordinating Unit, whose commitment has ensured a smooth take-off of the programme in Sokoto State.
The formation of these first Women Affinity Groups is a strong indication that the project is beginning to deliver on its mandate of empowering women at the grassroots. We are confident that many more groups will be established across the state in the coming weeks, bringing greater opportunities to women and their families,
Members of the newly formed groups expressed their excitement at becoming beneficiaries of the programme. They disclosed that they had followed reports about the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project through radio programmes, social media platforms, and community sensitisation campaigns, and had eagerly awaited the opportunity to participate.
Several members specifically mentioned hearing about the programme on Vision FM and Sokoto Rima Radio, among other local media outlets. They said they had been searching for ways to enrol, only to discover that implementation had already commenced in their own communities.
The women pledged to remain committed throughout the implementation of the project and expressed confidence that the initiative would improve their livelihoods, strengthen their economic independence, and create lasting opportunities for women, their families, and their communities.
The successful formation of the first Women Affinity Groups marks the beginning of a new phase in the implementation of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project in Sokoto State. As the programme expands to more communities, it is expected to broaden economic opportunities for women, strengthen community resilience, and contribute meaningfully to the state’s inclusive growth and sustainable development.
