Aggrieved Workers Block Women Affairs Ministry Headquarters In Abuja, Protest Over Poor Welfare, Unpaid Allowances

Aggrieved workers of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on Wednesday blocked the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja in protest against what they described as outright maltreatment and poor welfare by the ministry.

The protesters lamented that they have neither received any welfare package nor been trained.

“No welfare, no training,” they said, noting that even when they are sent to attend a programme with their money with a promise to reimburse them, they never get the supposed reimbursement.

“They will ask us to go for a programme, we will go with our money but they will not pay us. Till today, a trip of January they have not paid us for it. Trips of 2023, they have not paid us for them,” one of them said.

They alleged, “And money has been coming in but they (the leaders in the ministry) will pack it and keep it for themselves.”

One of the protesters also displayed a video sent to her by one of their female colleagues, who said she is at the point of death after the death of her 21-year-old daughter in the hospital.

“This is Jannifer. She is our staff. She is dying. She sent me this video two days ago that her 21-year-old daughter died in the hospital. She was crying and saying that she wants to commit suicide,” the protesters said.

In March 2025, the ministry announced that in a concerted effort to alleviate economic hardship and support vulnerable groups, it collaborated with the Near Foundation and distributed tons of essential food packages to notable women’s groups in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and various communities in Nasarawa State.

According to a statement issued on March 28 by Offiong Emem Maria, AD, Head of Press, Information and Public Relations Unit of the ministry, the initiative was aimed at providing relief during the holy month of Ramadan and ensuring beneficiaries can celebrate the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr with dignity and joy.

Speaking through her Special Assistant, Mrs Ola Erinfolami, during her visit to communities in Abuja and Nasarawa state, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the food distribution programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is focused on alleviating poverty and ensuring that “the poor can breathe.”

“This initiative is not a one-time effort. We are committed to continuously supporting those in need, especially women and vulnerable communities, to cushion the effects of economic hardship.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President places great importance on social welfare, and this food distribution programme is a testament to that commitment,” the Minister stated.

However, the protesting workers of the ministry, most of whom are women, said they “did not receive any food.”