The Northern Governors’ Wives Forum has earned high-level international commendation following a landmark gathering in Gusau, Zamfara State, where humanitarian action, regional unity and women-led development took centre stage.
A statement signed by Rabi Yusuf, Press Secretary office of the first lady of Zamfara State, said the two-day event, held from April 9 to 10, 2026, drew praise from the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, who lauded the Forum’s growing influence in addressing critical social challenges and improving the lives of vulnerable populations across Northern Nigeria.
The meeting hosted by the First Lady of Zamfara State, brought together an influential coalition of Northern Governors’ wives under the leadership of the Chairperson, Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya. Delegates of their Excellencies First Ladies from across the region including Gombe ,Katsina, Adamawa, Niger, Bauchi,Kano, Sokoto,Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Jigawa, Kebbi,Kogi and the coordinator office of the first lady Benue State,demonstrated a united front in advancing humanitarian and development-driven initiatives.
The forum was convened in honour of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Kashim Shettima. Central to the engagements was the strengthening of the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme, which delivered a large-scale food outreach to Six hundred vulnerable communities in Zamfara, complemented by additional donations of rice facilitated by the host state.
In a strong show of government backing, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to social welfare and community upliftment. He emphasized the importance of collaborative interventions that directly impact the lives of citizens, particularly women and children who remain at the heart of such initiatives.
A highlight of the gathering was a high-profile honorary dinner attended by key dignitaries, where Amina Mohammed commended the Forum’s strategic focus on grassroots impact. She pledged continued support from the United Nations, revealing the importance of partnerships that empower women, strengthen local systems and accelerate sustainable development across the region.
Beyond formal engagements, the Forum reinforced its ties with state leadership and traditional institutions. Members paid a courtesy visit to Governor Lawal, reaffirming their resolve to complement governance through people-focused programmes and later visited His Royal Highness, Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello II, in a gesture that honoured Zamfara’s cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions.
At the core of the visit was the Forum’s First Quarter Meeting, where members undertook a strategic review of ongoing programmes and mapped out priorities for 2026. Key resolutions included the expansion of borehole projects to tackle water scarcity, the rollout of new initiatives, plans to mark International Charity Day on September 5, and the scheduling of the next meeting for mid-year.
Demonstrating tangible impact, the Forum empowered one hundred women with business grants of ₦100,000 each to boost economic independence. In addition, critical medical supplies ranging from hospital beds to essential drugs were donated to a Primary Health Care Centre in Kwatarkwashi, with the Zamfara First Lady personally ensuring their delivery.
Collectively, these efforts reflect a powerful blend of compassion, leadership and action, reinforcing the Forum’s role as a driving force for hope, resilience and sustainable development across Northern Nigeria.
