Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project, Benue State

09/09/2026

Today in Abuja, the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up is represented at the Gender Inclusion Summit 2026.

Our focus: sharing implementation experience from scaling the Women Affinity Group model across 32 states. Especially in hard-to-reach communities where impact matters most.

We are bringing forward emerging evidence on the pathways to empowerment. We have seen that when women come together, build peer networks, grow their confidence, and gain access to information, economic opportunities translate into sustained change.

We are also examining the enabling factors and the constraints. What systems support women? What norms limit them?

The goal is simple. Ensure that every woman, no matter where she lives, has a fair chance to lead, decide, and thrive.

Proud to represent the voices of Nigerian women at this national dialogue.

02/09/2026

-SU

23/08/2026

BENUE STATE NIGERIA FOR WOMEN PROJECT RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM STATE LEGISLATURE.

Member Representing Gwer-East Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Doctor Elias Audu has thrown his weight behind the Nigeria For Women Program Scale-Up Project, NFWP-SU, saying it couldn't have come at a better time than now when women at the rural areas were financially incapacitated.

Doctor Audu made his position known during a briefing with the State Project Coordinating Unit at the end of it's community entry exercise into his constituency.

The State Assembly Member hailed the Governor, Reverend Hyacinth Alia for keying into the program saying if women at that level were empowered, families and by extension the community would develop faster.

He praised the team for carrying out its duties diligently adding, all the reports he had received were on positive note, which was an indication the project would succeed there.

Responding, leader of the team and Head of operations, Benue State Project Coordinating Unit, Mrs Dorcas Daniel said the women were expected to form Women Affinity Groups, WAGs in order to fully participate and benefit the NFWP-SU project.

Mrs Daniel applauded the reception her team had received during the visit which was made possible through cooperation of the leaders there and hoped the project would be sustained in the area.

According to her the Scale-Up project resulted from progress made in the pilot states of Abia, Niger, Akwa-Ibom,Kebbi,Ogun, and Taraba where more success stories were still being reported.

18/08/2026

NIGERIA FOR WOMEN PROGRAM SCALE- UP PROJECT, NFWP-SU BENUE STATE DRAWS THE CURTAINS ON COMMUNITY ENTRY INTO GWER- EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, INTERVIEWS PROSPECTIVE WARD FACILITATORS.

The Community entry into Gwer- East by the Benue State Nigeris For Women program Scale-Up project has ended successfully with a visit to Ikwue and Mbabur council wards of the local government.

During the last lap, the women praised the initiative saying it was one of a kind as it made no financial demands of them and expressed eagerness to key in by forming Women Affinity Groups, WAGs.

At Ikwue Council Ward, the District Head, Chief Sunday Nyaga represented by the Kindred Head of Mbaya-Utange, Chief Eric Ukem hailed the project and promised to embrace it, that of Mbabur, Chief Dennis Dyegh said it was a privilege for Gwer-East to be selected and encouraged the women to participate.

At Mbabur Council Ward, Head of Operations, NFWP-SU, Benue State Mrs Dorcas Daniel while giving an overview of the project said it was of utmost benefit to the women and should be supported to participate while Women Affinity Group Supporting Officer, WAGSO, Mrs Scholastica Gregory encouraged the women to form Women Affinity Groups in order to be impacted.

Management information Specialist, Mr Emmanuel Orgem educated the people on on the requirements for recruitment of Ward Facilitators.

Addressing the people at Ikwue Council Ward, another WAGSO, Mr Christopher Avi said the program was long term, and results can only be achieved through commitment, with Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr Sesugh Ahire advocating support for Ward Facilitators to succeed.

Gender Based Violence Officer, Mr Joshua Angyo advised the women to be submissive even when their lifes become better saying the project was not designed to separate families, and Community Institution Building Anchor, Mr Torkuma Shabu said the members of the WAGs can only take times three of their savings as loans and stressed the need for them to own bank accounts.

The Community entry exercise was rounded up with screening and written examinations for propecrive Ward Facilitators for the area who were encouraged to put in their best as their engagement was purely based on merit

17/08/2026

NFWP-SU Completes Okpokwu Community Entry with Ward Facilitators Recruitment Exercise.

The Benue State Project Coordination Unit (SPCU) of the Nigeria For Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU)Project has rounded up its community entry exercise in Okpokwu Local Government Area with the recruitment exercise for Ward Facilitators, marking a significant milestone in the project’s grassroots engagement across the Local Government Area.

The recruitment exercise which was conducted at the L.G.E.A Primary School Ugwu, Okpoga attracted candidates from all council wards in Okpokwu LGA, with aspiring Ward Facilitators turning out in impressive numbers and expressing strong expectations of being selected to contribute to the implementation of the project in their respective communities.

Addressing the candidates, the State Project Coordinator, Mr. William Fele Agber, said their decision to come forward demonstrates their willingness to become part of a team that would drive NFWP-SU implementation at the grassroots level. He assured them that the selection process would be credible, transparent and fair, stressing that only the best and most suitable candidates would be chosen based on merit and the requirements of the program.

The Coordinator urged the candidates to see the opportunity as a responsibility to their communities, emphasizing that Ward Facilitators would play a critical role in taking the project’s message, activities and opportunities closer to women at the grassroots.

Also speaking, the Community Institution Building (CIB) Adviser, Mrs. Dooshima Ageh, provided the candidates with an overview of NFWP-SU, explaining its objectives, focus on women’s economic empowerment and the importance of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs). She outlined the expected responsibilities of Ward Facilitators, including community mobilization, sensitization, supporting WAG formation and strengthening women’s participation and ownership of the project.

The enthusiasm displayed throughout the community entry further shows the sensitizations across communities was impactful and it underscored the growing acceptance of NFWP-SU in Okpokwu. From the traditional leadership and community stakeholders to women, youths and aspiring Ward Facilitators, the Local Government Area demonstrated a remarkable willingness to engage with and take ownership of the program.

With the completion of the
community entry exercise and recruitment process, Okpokwu LGA has written a strong chapter in the NFWP-SU grassroots journey—one defined by participation, openness and growing confidence in a program designed to place women at the centre of economic empowerment and community development.

16/08/2026

Plans are under way by Benue State Nigeria For Women Project Scale-Up project, NFWP-SU, to recruit Ward Facilitators for Gwer-East Local Government area of Benue State.

Women Affinity Groups Support Officers , WAGSO for the local government, Mrs Scholastica Gregory and Mr Christopher Avi stated this when they accompanied the State Project Coordinating Unit, SPCU into Mbalom and Mbasombo Council Wards in continuation of on-going community entry in Gwer-East.

Speaking at Mbalom , Mrs Gregory explained, when recruited, the Ward Facilitators would stand as a bridge between the Women Affinity Groups , WAGs and the project team, feeding all necessary development to the Coordinating unit and for onward monitoring by the Federal Project Coordinating Unit., FPCU.

At Mbasombo, Mr Avi who also gave an overview of the NFWP-SU added every person from ages twenty to fifty was eligible to apply, but must be of good character to be accommodated in the project while eligibility to be recruited required a minimum of secondary school certificate and purely by merit.

District Head Mbalom council Ward, Chief Saakuma Tov, that of Mbasombo, Chief Pius Anger-Kuhe represented by the Kindred Head of Mbaakuu, Chief Donald Terhemba both accepted the team saying the program was viable towards women's growth and community development.

Both Chiefs expressed appreciation for the intervention, urged their women to actively participate and pledged unalloyed support towards it's sustenance.

The Benue NFWP-SU team led by Head of Operations, Mrs Dorcas Daniel
highlighted benefits accruing the women through their WAGs membership, conducted Focused group Discussions and advanced the process for prospective WAGs formation.

16/08/2026

Ugbokolo Traditional Council Throws Weight Behind Women’s Inclusion as NFWP-SU Community Entry Reaches Final Wards.

The District Head of Ugbokolo council ward, Chief Emmanuel Ikom, has called for greater inclusion of women in traditional leadership and community decision-making, declaring that women have demonstrated the capacity to provide sound, rational and representative leadership in Ugbokolo communities.

Chief Ikom made the call as the Nigeria For Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU)Project arrived in Ugbokolo ward for community entry, one of the final council wards to be reached in Okpokwu Local Government Area. He disclosed that women in Ugbokolo are already recognised within the traditional council as Agaba-Anya, stressing that their participation gives women a stronger voice in decisions affecting their families and communities and have been performing wonderful.

According to him, women should not merely be beneficiaries of development initiatives but should also be active participants in leadership and decision-making. He described women as naturally capable leaders whose perspectives and experiences have and can contribute significantly to the development of the community.
The State Project Coordination Unit (SPCU) reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the community entry exercise reaches every ward and that no community is left without adequate information about the NFWP-SU. The State Project Coordinator, Mr. William Fele Agber speaking at Okonobo council ward, said the team has systematically visited wards across Okpokwu and has now reached the final communities in the exercise.

He explained that the purpose is not simply to visit communities, but to ensure that the NFWP-SU message is properly understood, accepted and owned by the people. He urged community members, particularly women, to take advantage of the opportunities the program is designed to create and actively participate in its implementation.
The Community Institution Building Adviser, Mrs Dooshima Ageh and WAG Support Officer Mrs Glory Ochigbo while speaking respectively at Ugbokolo and Okonobo council wards encouraged women to take ownership of the program by forming or joining Women Affinity Groups (WAGs). They explained that WAGs will provide women with platforms to organise themselves, strengthen their economic activities, build resilience and access opportunities provided through the program. They said the successes recorded so far from parents states and very recently Vandeikya LGA in Benue State, with Over N2 million in savings from over 400 Women Affinity Groups, means Benue women have truly seen and believe in the NFWP-SU.

The team also called on women to see the program as an opportunity to collectively improve their livelihoods rather than waiting for external interventions. Men, traditional leaders and stakeholders were encouraged to support women, their wives, as empowering the women will improve their family well-being and community at large.
Meanwhile, the Monitoring and Evaluation Anchor , Mrs Juritin Adah encouraged qualified and eligible candidates to seize the opportunity to apply for the position of Ward Facilitators, describing the recruitment as an important opportunity for community members to contribute directly to the implementation of the program while urging interested candidates to come out in large numbers for the interview scheduled to hold on 16 August 2026 at L.G.E.A. Primary School, Ugwu.

On her part, the Behaviour Change Communication Anchor, Mrs Justina Abah used the community engagement to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), emphasising the need for peaceful relationships, dignity, respect in families and communities as it breeds an atmosphere for development.
She stated that the NFWP-SU promotes an environment where women and men can participate safely and meaningfully in community development, while also stating that NFWP-SU has a Non-negotiable principle of Do No Harm, that ensure program activities do not expose beneficiaries or community members to harm, discrimination, exploitation, stigma or conflict.

Mrs Abah encouraged victims or survivors of GBV to seek redress by calling Toll free line 08000003434 or use GRM boxes that will be placed in Okpokwu LGA to table any complaints and will be addressed adequately.

The community entry exercise has received open and receptive responses across Ugbokolo and other communities visited in Okpokwu. With community sensitisation drawing to a close, the SPCU is optimistic that the coming weeks will see more women identifying themselves, forming groups and preparing to participate fully in the program.
The next phase will focus on the recruitment and training of Ward Facilitators, who will support the registration process and strengthen the program presence at ward level, bringing the NFWP-SU closer to its goal of ensuring that women across Okpokwu are informed, organised and positioned to benefit from the program.

15/08/2026

BENUE STATE NIGERIA FOR WOMEN PROGRAM SCALE-UP CONTINUES TO MAKE POSITIVE IMPACT AS MEN OF SHOUGH AND GBEMACHA, GWER-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMBRACE THE ACTIVITY.

Men of Shough and Gbemacha council wards of Gwer Local Government area, Benue State have challenged the women there to embrace the Nigeria For Women Program Scale-up Project, NFWP- SU expressing optimism it would bring the much needed development.

Their stance was made public when the State Project Coordinating Unit, SPCU, entered both communities to sensitize the people on benefits of the project to the women, and by extension their families and communities.

District Head of Shough council Ward, Chief Peter Ikyum , his Colleague at Gbemacha, Chief Vincent Nyor -Ishor who spoke for the men opined that though similar programs brought to the women had failed the NFWP-SU implementation modalities appeared sustainable and thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia for investing in their communities.

While giving an overview of the project at Shough, Head of Operations, Benue State Nigeria For Women Program Scale-up project, Mrs Dorcas Daniel and Community Institue building Anchor Mr Torkuma Shabu Gbemacha both said women can benefit the project only be forming Women Affinity Groups, WAGs.

According to them, the WAGs will put women in more manageable groups and serve as a platform for checks and balances adding that men were also allowed to participate but as project champions, Ward Facilitators where necessary.

Afterwards, the participants were divided into focused groups where they shared information that would guide the project implementation.

14/08/2026

Okpokwu Communities Record Major Strides as NFWP-SU Community Entry Nears Completion

Community entry activities of the Nigeria For Women Program Scale-Up(NFWP-SU)Project, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State are gradually drawing to a close, with communities across the local government recording increased awareness and strong receptiveness to the project’s objectives of improving women’s economic opportunities and strengthening their livelihoods.

The exercise, led by the State Project Coordinator, Benue State Project Coordination Unit, has so far covered Okpokwu Central, Okpokwu North, Ichama Wards 1 and 2, Ingle/Okpale, Ojigo, Okpoga West, Okpoga South, Eke and Amejo wards with two more council wards to visit. The communities have welcomed the project and actively participated in discussions on issues affecting women and girls, demonstrating growing interest in initiatives that can improve household welfare and community development.

Livelihood Adviser, Benue State Project Coordination Unit, Ene Odu who spoke for the State Project Coordinator, NFWP-SU, Mr. William Fele Agber at Eke Ward expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders for their warm reception and active participation throughout the exercise. She emphasized that the promises of the NFWP-SU are geared towards creating sustainable economic opportunities for women through Women Affinity Groups and other interventions, while urging communities to continue supporting the project to ensure that its benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

Speaking during the engagement in Amejo Ward, the Local Government Field Supervisor, Mr. Joseph Igoche and WAG Support Officer, Mrs Martha Obeya encouraged women to key into the NFWP-SU, describing the project as an opportunity for them to improve their livelihoods and become more economically empowered. They urged the women to take the sensitization seriously, participate actively in the formation of Women Affinity Groups and make good use of the opportunities that the project will provide.

The District Head of Amejo, Chief Ogbaah Alfred, also commended the NFWP-SU for bringing an intervention focused on women directly to the community. He urged the women and community members to support the project, stressing that empowering women would strengthen families and contribute significantly to the development of Amejo and Okpokwu Local Government Area.

Monitoring and Evaluation Anchor Mrs Juritin Adah encouraged qualified and interested residents of Okpokwu who are 20 years and above and willing, to submit applications and show up for the interview for Ward Facilitators on Sunday, the 16th of August at L.G.E.A Primary School Ugwu, Okpoga by 8am.

The community entry exercise also provided an opportunity for Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews, through which community members identified social and cultural practices that could be changed to create better opportunities for women and girls. Among the concerns raised were inadequate education of the girl child and the need to discourage early marriage. Mr Ogbaah Alfred Joseph, business man and citizen of Okpokwu stressed that educating girls would improve their confidence, economic prospects and ability to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

As the community entry phase approaches completion, the engagements have increased understanding of the NFWP-SU while providing communities with a platform to identify barriers limiting women’s advancement and collectively consider practical solutions. The growing participation and receptiveness across the wards mark a significant stride towards building stronger community support for women’s economic empowerment in Okpokwu.

14/08/2026