Widespread Gender-Based Violence Persists in Nigeria, Minister Warns During Ogun State Visit
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has raised alarm over the high incidence of violence against women in Nigeria, revealing that nearly one in three women aged 15 to 49 has endured physical abuse, while over 28% have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Minister described the figures as a sobering reflection of the country’s ongoing struggle with gender-based violence (GBV), despite notable progress in advocacy and intervention efforts.
“This isn’t just data — it’s the painful reality of countless Nigerian women,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated during her brief stop at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in the state capital. “Behind every percentage is a woman with a name, a story, and a life altered by trauma. Gender-based violence is a societal crisis, not a private issue.”
The Minister was received by Ogun State’s Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, First Lady Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, alongside other prominent female leaders and stakeholders.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that tackling violence against women demands collective urgency and unwavering compassion, and assured that the Federal Government is integrating gender-sensitive strategies into its broader social programmes under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our vision is to restore dignity and provide real opportunities for women, children, and all vulnerable groups through robust social impact initiatives,” she said.
In her own remarks, Commissioner Adeleye highlighted the state’s proactive measures, noting that the Sexual Assault Referral Centre and the adjacent Women Development Centre were intentionally established to work hand-in-hand — one focused on healing, the other on rebuilding lives.
“At SARC, we help survivors move beyond their trauma — physically, emotionally, and psychologically. But recovery doesn’t end with healing wounds; it must be followed by empowerment,” Adeleye said. “That’s why we created a continuum of support through the Women Development Centre.”
She outlined additional initiatives championed by the Ogun State Government, including sensitization campaigns, rural outreach, capacity-building programs, and child protection efforts.
However, Adeleye appealed for increased federal support to scale these interventions and close critical gaps. “Ogun State has sparked a flame of protection and renewal,” she said. “But we need the Federal Government to fuel that flame with sustained funding, stronger policies, and nationwide awareness campaigns.”
