Lagos, Nigeria: The Federal Government has called on stakeholders to prioritize gender inclusion in Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility, emphasizing that sustainable development is impossible without empowering women in the clean transport ecosystem.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the call on Saturday in Lagos, at the Electric Mobility Promoters Association of Nigeria (EMPAN) certificate presentation ceremony.
She was represented by Mr Xavier Eyamba, Senior/Technical Adviser to the Minister on Climate Change and Green Economy, who stressed the role of electric mobility in reducing emissions.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said women bore the brunt of climate change, hence the need to prioritise their inclusion in the ongoing transition to electric vehicles.
According to her, ensuring women’s participation in electric mobility addresses gender inclusion while also strengthening the foundations of a sustainable economy.
“As Minister of Women’s Affairs, I am encouraged by EMPAN’s commitment to gender inclusion. Their deliberate effort to position women as leaders in this revolution is commendable,” she said.
She expressed delight that a woman actively participated in the training, describing it as symbolic and a statement that women had a rightful place in the transition.
She urged EMPAN and partners to build on this momentum by creating more opportunities that encouraged and supported women to join future training programmes.
“By doing so, we expand talent, enrich diversity, and ensure equitable sharing of benefits across gender lines within this emerging mobility economy,” she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stressed that sustainable development was impossible without gender equity, insisting that women must be empowered as engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in the mobility sector.
She urged stakeholders to adopt inclusive recruitment, training, and mentorship practices reflecting national diversity.
The minister noted that the road to clean mobility was long, but filled with opportunities, requiring grassroots training, capacity building, and strong public-private partnerships.
She further called for gender-responsive policies, innovation hubs, and local manufacturing to boost the clean mobility drive.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs stands ready to support initiatives aligned with these goals. We invite stakeholders to join us in building inclusive and empowering mobility,” she said.
She congratulated trainees from Cohorts One and Two, describing them as pioneers proving that with the right tools and support, Nigeria could lead Africa’s clean mobility revolution.
“Together, let us drive Nigeria forward,” she added.