By Atlantic Reports

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies and programmes aimed at improving opportunities for women across Nigeria.

Shettima spoke on Monday while receiving Nigerian Women for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 (NWFTAS 2027), an All Progressives Congress (APC) women’s support group, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The delegation was led by its Board of Trustees Chairman, High Chief Bisola Edwin-Clark, and National Coordinator and Convener, Elsie Mangai.

Shettima described women as central to economic activity, social stability and national development, saying their treatment was a measure of a society’s progress.

“Women are the backbone of every society, and the growth and stability of every society. A nation is judged by the way they treat their women,” he said.

He commended the group’s organisation and national structure, and conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s support for its activities.

“I want to convey to you the goodwill and the assurance as well as maximum support of Mr President to enable you to carry out your activities,” Shettima said.

The account of the meeting did not identify specific policies, funding commitments, implementation timelines or measurable outcomes supporting the broader pledge on women’s advancement.

Group pledges electoral mobilisation

Mangai said the visit was intended to explain the group’s formation and brief the Vice President on its activities.

She pledged that the organisation would mobilise Nigerians, particularly women, to vote for the APC presidential candidate in 2027.

“We did not deceive any woman with promises or money. We told them sincerely why we believe the consolidation of you and Mr President should continue to complete what you both started,” she said.

Mangai defended the administration’s economic reforms, comparing them to resetting a broken bone that requires time to heal. That comparison reflected the group’s political assessment of the reforms, rather than evidence of their outcomes.

She also praised Shettima’s advocacy for national unity, saying it had helped persuade members to support the administration.

Mangai said the group’s formation followed its observation of the relationship between Tinubu and Shettima. She added that members retained the name “Tinubu/Shettima 2027” despite advice against doing so, without identifying who gave that advice or their reasons.

The meeting brought together two distinct commitments: the administration’s pledge to advance women’s opportunities and the group’s promise to mobilise electoral support. Assessing progress on the first will require details of the programmes delivered, the women reached and the results achieved.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.