By Abubakar Yusha’u
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) reinforced its commitment to women-led enterprise development at the Katsina Women’s Influence and Investment Summit, a high-level gathering that spotlighted women as catalysts for economic growth through value addition and strategic investment.
The summit, themed “Where Influence Meets Investment,” was held from 30 January to 1 February at the Continental Event and Sports Complex, Katsina. It focused on expanding women’s participation in investment, entrepreneurship and value-adding sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, the Director of the State Industrial Extension Services Department, Mrs. Obi Edith Chibuzor, underscored the pivotal role women play in Nigeria’s small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) sector. She noted that Katsina State’s abundant raw material resources, including maize, tigernut, date palm, cotton, hides and skins, have long thrived on the active involvement of women across production, processing and trade.
She emphasized that strengthening women’s capacity in raw materials processing and value addition aligns with national industrial development goals and enhances local content utilization, job creation and wealth generation.
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Governor Dikko Umaru Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment, describing the summit as a strategic platform for promoting inclusive economic development and sustainable growth. He disclosed that the state government has invested over ₦4 billion in the Nigeria for Women Project, reflecting its sustained support for women-focused initiatives.
In her remarks, Hajiya Amina Zayyana, Founder of the Katsina Inner Wheel Development Initiative (KIWDI), stated that the summit was conceived to reposition women as investors, entrepreneurs, innovators and solution providers. She observed that the success of women-owned enterprises translates into stronger families, resilient communities and a more vibrant economy. According to her, the summit serves as a bridge connecting women to critical opportunities, support systems and financial resources.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs commended the Katsina State Government for recognizing women as vital contributors to economic advancement. Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Aisha Aminu Malunfashi, applauded the organisers and reiterated the government’s commitment to structured, impact-driven empowerment programmes. She highlighted ongoing initiatives, including Women Affinity Groups across all local government areas, improved access to MSME financing and sustained skills acquisition programmes.
The summit attracted high-level participants from across the country, including representatives of RMRDC, the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Presidency and the Senate. Former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, alongside business leaders, women entrepreneurs and development partners, also graced the event.
Overall, the Katsina Women’s Influence and Investment Summit reflected a growing national consensus on the strategic importance of women in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation particularly in sectors linked to raw materials development, value addition and enterprise growth, areas in which RMRDC continues to provide technical leadership and policy support.
